Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Hello again, Dr. Lecter.”

“Good morning, Freddie.” Hannibal tried his best not to sound too bored. Not only was he live on TV in front of thousands of people right now but it would also be terribly rude, no matter how little he liked the host.

“I heard your date with poor Tony yesterday didn´t go so well.”

“The discussion between Anthony and I about Dante´s inferno wasn´t as… fulfilling as I´d hoped.”

“Ohhh, what a shame.” Freddie was overacting far too much for Hannibal´s tastes but she must be doing something right considering the high audience rating of her show. “Our audience was rooting for you.” She looked to the audience in the studio who gave a loud “awwww” and applause.

Hannibal gave the audience a big smile and several girls squealed in excitement while one older lady looked close to fainting. “How very kind of you but I fear he wasn´t the right one. I liked his enthusiasm but his heart wasn´t up to my appetite.”

“Now Hannibal, you have been with our show for several years by now and still haven´t accepted courting of any omega for more than a few weeks.” Freddie pointed out. “Do you think you might be a bit too picky?”

“I just have fine taste.” Hannibal disagreed pleasantly. “I need to find the right flavor of omega for me.”

“I would argue you had some very fine omegas at your table: Alana Bloom, Bedelia Du Maurier…”

A woman from the audience shouted: “We love you Bedelia!” She wore a shirt with a big red heart and the words “Bedelecter forever!”. You could buy the cheap shirts for forty dollars apiece at the fan shop Freddie advertised every episode. Hannibal really wanted to put the host’s heart on a spike in moments like these.

Hannibal gave her a small-lipped smile instead. “I prefer my omegas a bit more… raw.”

The audience started whistling.

Freddie gave him a dirty smile. “Oh, opposites attract I understand. Well, this is a great transition to greeting our newest candidate on our beautiful island.”

Hannibal was relieved to be allowed away from the hot seat of the stage. Next time he was faking a secret child in his home land of Lithuania he´d make sure no American agent would ever get the idea to check if he wasn´t making said child up to avoid getting mated off. Or he would eat said agent beforehand instead of ripping them apart after the report was already send off. What a rookie mistake of him.

As he walked back to the rest of the candidates admits the loud applause of the audience a scrawny man with wild, brown locks and glasses walked past him. The small whiff Hannibal got from him clearly marked him as an omega and a quite nervous one as well. Maybe stage fright?

His assumption was proven correct as the omega sat scrunched over and with his back twisted as far towards the camera as possible. He also absolutely refused to meet Freddie´s eyes or look towards the audience or the camera instead he stared on the ground. There was sporadic applause as an employee of the TV station reminded the audience to clap via signs but it sounded sad in contrast to what Hannibal had gotten minutes before.

Freddie didn´t let the omega´s defensiveness get her down. “Hello there, it´s so nice to see new faces in here. What´s your name?”

The omega mumbled something no one could understand.

“Excuse me?” Freddie´s smile seemed a bit more forced than before and there was a nervous twitch on her cheek. “Could you repeat that a bit louder? And into your microphone if possible?”

The man sighed and repeated. “Will.”

“Will…” Freddie prompted him to give his last name. He didn´t react so she continued unabashed. “Will Graham, correct?”

“Yes.”

“So what are you searching for on this wonderful island here?”

“A breeder, I guess?”

“Excuse me?”

For the first time Will looked up at her and his expression was very cold. “Someone to breed me. Isn´t that what all omegas are here for?”

There were a few appalled gasps in the audience but Will didn´t seem to care.

“That´s a very… one-sided view.” Freddie pointed out, her smile slipping. “Don´t you want to find true love?”

“Doesn´t everyone?” Will answered, looking down again. “I doubt anyone finds it here, though.”

“Well, what do you do for a living?” Freddie tried to abruptly change the topic.

“I´m a professor.” Will had taken his glasses off to play with them in his lap instead of looking up.

“A true career omega.” Freddie brightened. “We like to see that. What do you teach?”

“Dead bodies.” Will answered. “I work for the FBI. I specialize in serial killers, cannibals and other mental profiles.”

A director made wild gestures at Freddie to change the topic immediately considering the show was airing on a channel quite popular with children.

Freddie got the message. “Do you have any friends?”

“No.”

By now the host was clearly desperate to find a safer – any safer - topic. “Do you have hobbies?”

“I have dogs.”

“Dogs!” Freddie sat up with hope in her eyes. “Yes, who doesn´t love dogs? How many do you have at home? Two? Three?”

“Twelve.”

Freddie took a deep breath and forced herself to another smile. “And what would you wish for in a future partner?”

Will just sighed. “I hope they like to cuddle, fit in with the pack, are obedient and like to play fetch.”

Freddie´s nervous twitch in her cheek started up again. “You´re describing a dog.”

“Yes a dog, I want my future partner to be a dog.”

That was the moment Freddie clearly gave up any hope for Will Graham.

Hannibal72384: Hannibal was clearly the hottest one again

ConnyHD: His accent is just… *chef´s kiss*

Islandlover: The new guy is a looser though. Who would want to date that?

Potterforever: Give him a break, he clearly has stage fright

Islandlover: Yeah but twelve dogs? Come on

Lovelovelove: I think he looks kind of cute

Hannigramm: Hannigramm forever!

Hannibal72384: As if that would ever happen

Chapter Text

Will didn´t appreciate the feeling of getting manipulated; it was one of the reasons he had refused to bear a child just because he was born with the wrong designation. He also didn´t like some pseudo therapist trying to poke in the mess that was his mind.

Both of those facts meant he absolutely despised Frederick Chilton so far. He was the “psychiatrist” hired by the show to make a psychological profile so they could match the right people in their dating segment. But of course even the fact that Chilton let their session be filmed showed he was the last person Will would call a reputable psychiatrist.

“So Will,” Chilton leaned back in the absolutely cliché black leather armchair. “Let´s start at the beginning: Can you tell me something about your parents?”

Will absolutely refused to lie down at the even more cliché Couch opposite Chilton. “Dear god, could you be even more stereotypical? Asking after my mother, really?”

“Mr. Graham.” Chilton sounded indignant. “I´m just trying to get a general impression of your mental condition so we can make sure a potential partner won´t later accidentally trigger bad memories.”

“Trust me, you won´t like me when I´m psychoanalyzed.”

Chilton huffed with a superior look on his face. “I´m aware that opening up can make you feel vulnerable at first but you´ll feel better afterwards.”

“Telling my deepest and darkest secrets to millions of people.” Will threw a glance at the camera. “Are you really able to get the other idiots around here to fall for your tricks?”

“Just ignore the cameras.” Chilton gave him what he probably considered to be a calming smile. “This is about your future. If you don´t want to talk about your parents that´s ok, how about we talk about your job first? FBI agent isn´t the easiest occupation.”

“I´m not an agent.” Will answered. “To emotionally unstable.”

Chilton raised an eyebrow and noted something down on a clipboard in his lap. “But you´re regularly in the field? How does that make you feel?”

If Will was stuck here anyway he might as well have his fun with this. If he sounded insane enough it might even keep the government of his back for getting children for awhile. “I think dead bodies are very arousing.”

Chilton froze. “Excuse me?”

Will did his best not to grin at the clear disgust and fear on his face. “You know all the blood and organs… totally hot. What omega with libido wouldn´t get wet at the sight?”

“Dear god!”

“Seeing the heart beat in another man´s chest… it shows that he really opened up to me. Well to be honest he opened up to his killer but still. ” Will shook his head playfully. “It´s so hard to get men to open up nowadays, they are all so emotionally stunted.”

“You… are yanking my chain.” Chilton realized.

“Did you ever hear of Death erections? It happens to men who died hanging or with their faces to the ground. It´s also called Angel Lust so clearly I can´t be the only one who thinks that´s hot.”

Chilton finally saw Will´s repressed grin and snarled annoyed. “Would you please stay serious? That isn´t joking matter.”

“What is your problem? Do you have problems hearing about blood and death? An unfortunate trait for a former surgeon.”

“How do you even know about my former job?”

“I´m a psychic.” Will did his best to let his voice sound like those fortune-teller on TV. “I can read your mind.”

“No you cannot!”

“You´re thinking of rubber ducks right now.”

“I am not!” Chilton seemed annoyed that of all the things Will could have guessed he uses something so plebian.

“Prove it.”

“What?”

“Prove that you haven´t just thought of rubber ducks!”

“How can you even prove your own thoughts?” Chilton looked puzzled for a moment then he seemed to realize what nonsense he was thinking about. “And why the hell would I even prove that?”

“To prove I´m not a psychic.”

“And how would that be relevant for me?”

“Well my future partner might not like someone reading his or her thoughts.” Will pointed out. “And you have to find the right match for me, don´t you?”

Chilton groaned and buried his face in his hands for a moment then he took a deep calming breath. “Will, I understand that this isn´t what you wished for in live considering you pretended to be sterile for years but I honestly want to help you find a partner you genuinely will be happy with and I can´t do that without your cooperation.”

And the terrible thing was Will even believed him. Yes Frederick Chilton wasn´t the best psychologist and he seemed to have no problem to bend his morals to gain fame but he didn´t seem like a bad person. That didn´t mean he liked him any more than before though. “Thank you, Dr. Chilton but I can look out for myself.”

Will stood up and walked out of the room and Chilton sighed again.

“Cut!” He shouted and threw his clip board on the ground in frustration. “Dear god he is even more annoying than Hannibal.”

A Youtube compilation of the best clips of Hannibal´s psychological review:

Chilton smiled at Hannibal with an eager light in his eyes. “So I´ve been told that you are also a psychiatrist?”

Hannibal sat on the couch as if it was his office chair and Chilton was his patient. “Yes, I guess you can say that if you consider this…” He looked around himself with clear distaste. “…being a psychiatrist.”

“You were born in Europe?”

Hannibal rested his chin on his hand. “Correct.”

Chilton also leaned on his hand. “And how do you like America in contrast?”

“It has some very beautiful locations and interesting cuisine but the people here have the tendency to be a bit…” Hannibal´s eyes drilled into Chilton´s. “pretentious.”

“Your childhood proved to be quite traumatic.” Chilton pointed out. “How do you handle that trauma?”

“Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence.” Hannibal smiled at him. “I learned to move on. For me personally it helps to make myself cognizant of all the good things I managed to acquire in my life.”

“Oh, that is a quote of Peter Levine, isn´t it?” Chilton smiled back obviously proud of himself to get that right. “But in the end Well-being cannot exist just in your own head. Well-being is a combination of feeling good as well as actually having meaning, good relationships and accomplishment.”

“Martin Seligman.” Hannibal nodded. “I quite like his work about depression but Juozas Kazlauskas always offered me more consolation.”

Chilton nodded eagerly back. “Yes, yes, understandable. I quite like his works as well.”

“Oh?” Hannibal raised an eyebrow. “I didn´t know you were so interested in Lithuanian folk songs.” He laughed at Chilton´s nervous stuttering. “Don't become a mere recorder of facts, but try to penetrate the mystery of their origin: Ivan Pavlov”

“Do you think the fact that you have such an obsession with cooking shows that you still have repressed feelings about your mother leaving you at such an early age?”

Hannibal only raised an eyebrow. “I think you sound astonishingly sexists in ascribing me an Oedipus complex just because I know how to properly boil an egg.”

“That… is not what I meant at all.”

“Oh?” Hannibal leaned forward with a pleasant, inquisitive smile. “What did you mean then, Frederick, do tell?”

“I… just wanted for you to talk about your hobbies some more.”

“Is that so? You should choose your words more wisely, Frederick, or someone might take offense and try to remove your offending tongue.”

“How come that you lied about already having a child? Isn´t it an alpha´s natural instinct to procreate?”

Hannibal sighed. “We´re already getting dangerously close to sexism again, Frederick, I´m starting to think you have a problem.”

Chilton looked flustered. “It is simple evolution: humans need to procreate to continue our existence.”

“Which meant betas and omegas need to have sex just as much as alphas.” Hannibal pointed out with a flick of his hand. “In the end I don´t like being told what I´m supposed to be doing with my life so I refused to follow a quite insulting law.”

“And even as a successful and popular individual in your circle of friends you never had a long-term partner.” Chilton flicked his hand casually. “Why is that?”

Hannibal shrugged. “No interest.”

Chilton raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? At your age it isn´t unusual for man to have some… problems getting it up if you know what I mean.”

“Are you saying I don´t have a partner because I´m impotent?”

Chilton shrugged. “I´m just asking a question.”

“Have you heard of the fascinating psychological phenomena called…” Hannibal leaned forwards as if to share a secret. “…projection?”

Chilton clicked his tongue and crossed his arms in front of him. “Now this is highly unproductive: Claiming projection in a therapist´s office is like shouting fire in a theatre.”

“Absolutely legitimate and even necessary in case of an actual fire?” Hannibal answered without missing a beat.

“That…” Chilton stuttered. “That is not an apt comparison!”

“But you brought it up.” Hannibal blinked a picture of poor innocence. “Also I believe you mean analogy, surely you can tell the difference between the two. Or does this word make you uncomfortable for some reason?” He smiled.

Chilton had gotten rather red in the face by now and his hands where twisting nervously. “No, why would it? And would you stop deflecting? We are talking about you not me.”

“We are? Are you trying to convince me of that?” Hannibal leaned back unperturbed. “Or yourself?”

“Would you stop twisting my words!” Chilton threw his hand back in a dramatic gesture that unfortunately hit the vase with flowers on the small table next to him which threatened to fall over. Chilton sprang up from his chair to catch the vase but unfortunately lost his balance and slipped on the small decorative rug between him and Hannibal. The camera recorded him falling backwards in perfect detail until he fell into the camera itself and pulled it downwards with him.

“CUT!”

In the next scene you could see Chilton back in his chair but his suit was off-centre, his tie looped around itself and his hair was a mess. In contrast Hannibal looked just as perfectly put-together as in the beginning of the interview and watched Chilton with an amused gaze. “Now that was quite impressive to watch!”

“If you could choose a partner of any kind what do you think… What ARE you doing?” Chilton stared irritably at Hannibal who had started making strange waving patterns with his fingers in front of his face.

Hannibal stopped and smiled. “I´ve noticed that during our talk you subconsciously started emulating my gesturing – maybe in an attempt to learn something from a more competent colleague – and I wanted to see how far I could push you before you stopped doing whatever I am doing.”

“YOU ARROGANT, SNOBBISH, LITTLE…!”

“CUT!”

BoneSoupMmm: Lol, this show is actually getting good, finally someone standing up to that quack Chilton

Hannibal72384: Finally? Did you see the review he did with Hannibal years ago? It was great xD

Calm2021Tangerine: I think both interviews are great. And Bedelia´s was really cool too when she first arrived.

gabba_gabba: It´s always the psychologists, isn´t it :p

Bedelecter: That´s why she and Hannibal would fit together so good!

AttaGirlChiyoh: What about Graham lol, he isn´t a psychologist.

WillibalGrater: Yeah but he teaches about the stuff doesn´t he? Probably a better expert than Chilton!

Mysterious_L: Wow, only there a day and Graham already has a big enough fan to name himself after him lol

Islandlover: I still think the guy is a nutcase. Maybe the stuff he said wasn´t even a joke but real :O

BoneSoupMmm: Come on, man, you could see him grin. Don´t make up stuff that isn´t there.

Hannigramm: Hannigramm forever!

Hannibal72384: Speaking about making stuff up!

Chapter Text

Will was happy that living on the Mating island meant that he at least had his own room with a lock. He didn´t have any illusions over the fact that the producers of the show had their own key to invade his privacy if they wanted (and regularly did, he never watched the show himself but he knew enough from talk around the office) but at least he had some distance from the other contestants as he woke up screaming in the night.

It was only his second night and already the lack of his dogs made him feel even more vulnerable after a nightmare. He had only been allowed to bring one and even for that he had to fight tooth and nail. Winston was whining and rubbing his head on Will´s leg as he stumbled away from the unfamiliar bed and into the bathroom where he threw cold water in his face. After a few minutes of starring at himself he realized he wouldn´t be able to go back to sleep so he sighed and pulled on a T-shirt over his boxers and left the room.

All omega contestants lived on the second and third floors of the sea-side wing of a big mansion connected by several hallways. There weren´t many people at the moment, it was unusal for an omega to refuse or be unable to give birth early in live. To be entire honest it was unusual for alphas too.

At least the island was beautiful even more so at night. Fireflies were playing around the lamps illuminating the courtyard and pool as Will left the sleeping tract of the building to get some fresh air. The water of the pools shimmered innocent in the moonlight and Will just got the idea to go down to the beach to feel the pull of the waves on his feet as he heard clanking coming out of another part of the house. With a frown he slowly crept towards the door where the noises seemed to be coming from and opened it.

Seeing Hannibal Lecter without his usual suit jacket but rolled up sleeves and barefoot instead bussing around the common kitchen wasn´t what he had expected. He looked perfectly at home and was humming to himself as he put something into a pot that Will couldn´t see from his position. Will had half a mind to just turn around and leave this bizarre picture behind but then Lecter had turned around and froze at the sight of Will.

“Oh, pardon I didn´t see you there.” Lecter gave Will a smile. “I hope I didn´t wake you, Mr…. Graham wasn´t it?”

Will hugged his arms to himself as he realized he how severely underdressed he was in his boxers and holey shirt in front of Lecter who looked as if he´d just stepped out of an advertisement for kitchens. “Call me Will,” he mumbled. “And you didn´t wake me. What are you doing here?”

Lecter looked back to the pots and pans on the stove next him as if he just had noticed them. “I´m cooking: I´m very particular about what I put in my body so I prefer making my own meals in contrast to what they serve around here.” He wrinkled his nose.

Will blinked in surprise at the explanation then he shrugged. “The food around here didn´t taste too bad to me - at least not in contrast to the FBI cantina.”

Lecter clicked his tongue then he walked away from the stove to the fridge next to where Will was standing.

“What are you doing?” Will stepped back as Lecter came close.

“Getting more ingredients for a second portion.” Lecter answered. “I refuse to let your statement stand; clearly your usual meal plan is a travesty!”

Will felt the blood shoot to his face. “That´s really not needed, Dr. Lecter!”

“Nonsense, it´s my pleasure. And please call me Hannibal.” Hannibal gave him a smile that was more honest then Will had ever see him give the cameras. “Please sit down, it won´t take long.”

Will seriously though about just leaving but he didn´t want to be rude and whatever the doctor was making smelled heavenly so he walked over to the small table next to the kitchen area and sat down. “Isn´t this kind of improper? An alpha and an omega alone at night?”

Hannibal had his back to him as he worked on the food but he continued talking. “If either of us were proper we would be at home with five to six kids running around our legs, wouldn´t we? I And I´m sure if I tried anything untoward towards you I´d end up regretting it. I had the pleasure once of watching the usual FBI training and I´d prefer to avoid getting thrown to the ground.”

Will felt himself relax slowly. Talking with Hannibal felt easy and the alpha had not problems joking about himself. It reminded him how talking with Alana had felt before she had to leave. That reminded him: “You know Alana Bloom, don´t you? People at my job said you dated her.”

“People say?” Hannibal looked over his shoulder at him with a slight smile. “Not a fan of dating shows, are you Will?”

“I see enough lying and backstabbing at my job.” Will mumbled looking down at the table. “But my colleagues like to talk about it.”

“They aren´t lying.” Hannibal answered. “I consider Alana a close friend and we did have a small affair while being on the island but I don´t think it was very welcomed.”

“That´s discrimination, female alphas can still get pregnant.” Will´s fingers retraced the pattern of the wooden table. “Just as male omegas can impregnate others. It´s just less likely. They aren´t allowed to stop you dating.”

“Many see it as unnatural.” Hannibal said in a light tone. “But while I was discouraged I wasn´t actively stopped from seeing Alana. If she had gotten pregnant from me we would have both been allowed to leave the island just as everyone else.”

“Good,” Will said grimly. “So why didn´t you?”

Hannibal had turned left to get two plates down from a cupboard and as he turned back he looked at Will contemplatively. “In the end we just weren´t what we needed in a partner so we decided to just be friends.” He started to plate the food with the upmost care.

“Oh.” Will starred at him working in fascination. It looked how Will imagined Michelangelo had looked as he painted. Unfortunately Hannibal wasn´t only precise but also efficient and the plating was over faster than Will would have liked. Hannibal took the two plates together with cutlery over to the table where he seated himself opposite Will.

“Bon appétit!”

To avoid Hannibal´s intense gaze Will immediately started shoveling food into his mouth. It took a second before he tasted it properly but then an appreciated moan escaped him. “This… this is good!”

“No reason to sound so surprised.” Hannibal teased him with a smile.

Will felt himself blush. “I… I didn´t mean to offend you. I just rarely eat anything that wasn´t pre-packaged at some point.”

“No offense taken.” Hannibal answered. “Accept maybe at your abhorrent diet. Eating properly is important for your physical and mental health, Will.”

Will huffed. “Yes, Doctor!”

For a minute they both ate in silence. It was Hannibal who spoke up again. “You seemed to be quite insistent in Alana and my´s right to date as two alphas. Are you gay?”

Will bit his lip and didn´t answer at first. He barely even knew the guy in front of him and he shouldn´t be as comfortable to talk with him as he was. Maybe Hannibal had learned to make people feel safe for his job. If that was true Hannibal must be a damn good psychiatrist. In the end Will left it at: “Physically I don´t really care if my partner is an omega or alpha but omega are usually the safer bet.”

Hannibal bowed his head slightly. “Society today has a tendency to educate alphas into believing they have rights about other people bodies they don´t. It´s unfortunate but I understand the caution some people have about my designation. Still I have to stress that thinking omegas are innocent little angels is a stereotype that can be just as damaging.”

Will huffed and said more to himself: “Don´t I know it.”

“Would you like to talk about it?”

Ok this was definitely one step too far on the familiarity path. Will stuffed the last bit of food in his mouth and stood up. “Excuse me Dr. Lecter, but I think I already made my stance on psychoanalyzing clear yesterday. If I remember right you were in the audience as I talked with Dr. Chilton so you should know about it.”

“We don´t need to talk about it in a therapist/patient-relationship.” Hannibal told him. “We could talk as friends.”

“Thank you but no thank you.” Will put his plate in the dishwasher. “I´m not searching for a new friend and to be honest I don´t consider you especially interesting.”

He was halfway out the door when he heard Hannibal answer:”You will!”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day was the pairing ceremony: Freddie Lounge stood in front of all of the contestants in a pretty black dress and had a piece of paper in her hand that told her who would be paired up based on Chilton´s assessment, a questionnaire every contestant filled in every week and of course what the producer´s thought fans wanted to see.

All the omegas stood on one side of the pool and all the alphas on the other and when their name was called they would walk towards Freddie where she explained why a certain pairing was decided on. Afterwards the pair would walk off - usually hand-in-hand - to do one of several activities which were offered on the island – all under camera supervision of course.

Will didn´t listen to Freddie´s beginning prattle of how great love was and what great experiences the pairings held for them and let his gaze wonder over the alphas. Most likely he would have to go on several dates with at least one of them and he felt pretty apprehensive about it. His gaze stuck at Alana who looked beautiful in a dark blue suit and she caught his gaze with a smile. So far he had been pushed from one engagement on the island to the next and hadn´t even have the time to talk to her. Was it too much to hope to get paired with his friend? Probably considering his kind of luck.

Then his gaze fell on Hannibal standing next to Alana and his heart skipped a beat. How could he look even better in the daylight with the sun reflecting on the grey streaks of his dark hair? A human being shouldn´t have so many good traits at once it was unnatural. Maybe he was a serial killer at night or something as compensation. Hannibal seemed to notice his look since he gave him a half-smile and a slight bow of the head. Will quickly looked away and hoped the camera didn´t catch them, the last thing he needed was the Hannibal-fans in the internet getting interested in him – he had enough death threats coming from his job.

“Let´s start our pairing process with our all-time favorite, Hannibal, darling please come up to me.”

Hannibal walked towards Freddie as if he was stiding down a red carpet.

“Well, Hannibal we looked at your profile and the questionnaire you and your new partner filled up and astonishingly there was nearly a 99 % match on one of your sides. So say hi to the new omega partner you will have for the next days: Franklyn Foideveaux.”

Will had seen many people who had just killed someone in a cold rage; for the blink of an eye Hannibal´s expression looked astonishingly like the one he saw of those killers but then he blinked and suddenly the anger was gone from Hannibal replaced by a steadfast calmness. Will shook his head slightly and bit his lip. He probably just imagined it.

When he looked up again Hannibal and Franklyn were gone.

“Let´s talk about our newcomer:” Freddie continued talking. “Will Graham.”

Will felt like he was going to his execution as he forced himself towards Freddie. She gave him a big fake smile and put her hand on his shoulder. “I have to admit we had a bit of trouble at the beginning to find a proper pairing for you but we think we managed to solve this puzzle. They have a lot of experience with people who are ruff around the edges:” She made a dramatic pause. “Matthew brown.”

SSA_SarahSunshine: OMG, can´t wait to see the new Hannibal dates, they are always so classy. Anyone have any idea about this Franklyn guy?

Islandlover: He´s rather new, only dated Tobias Budge if I remember correctly. The dates were rather boring so they cut most of it.

Hannibal72384: Any date with Hannibal will be amazing, no matter the partner

enbymurderhusbands: Was it just me or had Hannibal an… intense eye contact with the new guy?

Hannigramm: Hannigramm forever!

Hannibal72384: Stop encouraging him :I

Pielover515: I just downloaded the video and zoomed in and there is totally eye contact there :O

Bedelecter: It´s just the camera angle

enbymurderhusbands: You´ll see, I bet there is definitely something going on in between them

Chapter Text

Matthew was… nice? At least that was the best way Will could describe him. He was clinging to Will´s left arm like an octopus with attachment issues and talked non-stop.

“I can´t believe I got lucky enough to be your first date on here.” Matthew smiled widely showing his teeth of in a way the reminded Will of a shark. “You sounded so interesting in your entry interview. I mean an FBI agent, how hot is that?”

“Nice to know you think my job is sexually arousing.” Will grumbled. “And I´m not an agent.”

“You could make a catch-phrase out of that “not-an agent” thing.” Matthew pointed out, completely ignoring Will´s first sentence. “Could help make you more popular.”

“I hardly need more popularity.” Will answered. “It´s not like I´m getting paid for being here.”

“Ah, but popular contestants get all kinds of advantages, just look at Hannibal.” He nodded at Hannibal and Franklyn who were talking not very far away. Hannibal had Franklyn clinging to one arm similarly to Will and he looked about as annoyed as Will felt too. “He can go to whatever date he wants and is even able to go on regular holidays paid by the studio.”

“And where does the studio sent people to so they can finally suck maiting bites into each other’s throats? Transelvania?”

Matthew grinned. “I don´t think they tried that one so far. Hannibal is usually going to the typical places of the privileged and noble: Italy, Paris, Prague…”

“Of course he is.” Will rolled his eyes.

Matthew seemed tired of talking about another man because he changed the topic: “So what do you want to do as a date today?”

“Is there an exercise where I could shoot myself?”

Matthew laughed seeming both surprised and delighted by Will´s comment. “I guess there´s archer although it would be kind of difficult to hit yourself with an arrow.”

“I take my chances.” Will answered, then he turned directly to the cameraman following him. “Can I change out of this nonsense please?” He had been put in a stuffy black-and-white suit with a far too tight bow tie that made it hard to breath.

“Hey man, you can´t just talk to the camera like that.” The man who was holding the bar with a big microphone next to Will and Matthew frowned at him.

“If you don´t let me change out of this, I promise I break enough fourth walls to bring the goddamned house down.”

“Fine, fine.” The cameraman pulled his cell phone out. “Let me talk to Beverly, she is responsible for your appearance.”

“You shouldn´t just give in like that, Jimmy!“ The microphone-man said.

“Stop being so grumpy about it Brian.” Jimmy rolled his eyes. “You wouldn´t want to wear a three-piece suit all the time in this weather either.”

“But…” Brian started protesting.

He shut up when Jimmy held up a finger as he talked into his phone. “Hey there Bev… yes… your client refuses to go on a date in his current costume… I know but to be fair I wouldn´t want to make sport in that either… yes, Bev… ok, Bev…” Finally he looked at Will. “Beverly said you can go back to the make-up room and she´ll find something for you.”

“Great.” Will didn´t even look back at Matthew as he addressed him. “See you at archery lessons in an hour, Matthew.”

Matthew tone was still cheerful as he answered: “Can´t wait.”

Will was so busy to get out of his suit that he didn´t even notice Hannibal´s eyes on him.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

“I´m not wearing that!” Will crossed his arms in front of his chest as if to make sure Beverly couldn´t just force the shirt over his head. “Do I look like a penguin to you?”

“The studio wants to put their contestants in fancy stuff.” Beverly answered while looking through her huge closet. “You can´t just walk around in jeans and T-shirt.”

“I´m not shooting with bow and arrow in a suit.” Will answered. “I might accidentally strangle myself with the tie.”

“The other contestants are doing fine. Look at Hannibal Lecter.”

“Looked at Hannibal, look at Hannibal…” Will imitated in a high-pitched tone. “It seems to me like all everyone around here does is talking about is Hannibal Lecter!”

Beverly pulled her head out of the closet and looked at Will with a playful smile. “Are you jealous?”

“Of what? I hate any kind of attention.”

“I meant of Hannibal´s current partner.” She laughed at Will´s sputtering and turned back to the closet. “Don´t worry, I won´t judge: He´s pretty hot.”

“I´m not…!”

“Found it!” Beverly pulled several clothes out and put them over the chair next to her. “Let´s try this!”

In the end he was put in a velvet red shirt with a nice brown jacket and suitable trousers. Beverly looked him up and down with a frown. “I´m pushing it a bit at the casual clothing end but the producers do like our contestants to look different so it should be fine.”

Will was plucking on the sleeves of his new jacket but in the end it was far better than he hoped he would be allowed. “Thank you, Beverly.”

Beverly gave him a bright smile back. “No problem, just promise to keep me up to date with the gossip around the contestants. Actually give me your phone.” Will was pretty sure he would regret it but he gave it over and seconds later Bev had send a message to herself. “Now get out there and have fun seducing Hannibal.” She pushed him out the door.

“Actually I´m not going out with…”

“Bye!” Beverly shut the door in his face.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Will got to the archery field located close to the mansion Matthew wasn´t there but to his surprise Hannibal and Franklyn and there camera team were. If this went on like that Will would be convinced that Hannibal was stalking him.

Franklyn didn´t seem like the idea of Hannibal stalking him would be something that would bother him. “I can´t believe I actually finally get the chance to go on a real date with you. I tried to get your attention before, you know?”

“I was aware of that.” Hannibal sounded politely interested but the undercurrent of his tone made it pretty obvious to Will he wasn´t.

“I knew you were aware.” Franklyn pointed with his index at Hannibal. “Even though you were pretending that you weren´t.”

“What great insight you have. “Hannibal drew his bow and let go of his arrow in one smooth motion and hit the target without problems.

“Since I had my first therapy session with you I wanted to be your friend.” Franklyn tried his luck with shooting the arrow but missed the target by miles. “You are the reason I overcame my psychological block that made me unable to have children. You of all people deserve to lay your stake after that.”

“Finally I know what I did to deserve this.” Hannibal said more to himself and more as if he was talking about a curse that had burdened his family for generations.

“I mean we have even the same hobbies: We both like cheese” Franklyn continued oblivious. “We are the perfect match.”

“True love does not come by finding the perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.” Hannibal finally seemed to notice Will standing awkwardly at the side. “Will, what a coincidence to see you here.”

Will raised an eyebrow. “It seems to be our fate to run into each other at every opportunity.”

“You… you…” Franklyn stuttered. “You know each other?”

“We met.” Will wasn´t willing to give up more information than that. “But why is that so surprising to you since you clearly knew him before coming here? According to your discussion it seems like you were a patient of Dr. Lecter before coming here, isn´t that against some kind of code?”

“I raised the same concerns.” Hannibal answered. “But apparently there are so few omegas left in our age group that prior relationship have to be ignored. Bedelia had been a former friend and colleague of mine too before I dated her actually.”

“Ah.” Will nodded.

“Dr. Lecter and I have a really close relationship actually.” Franklyn sounded indignant.

“Made rather obvious by you using his last name.” Will sighed. “Isn´t there supposed to be an archery teacher somewhere?”

“Lessons start at every full hour.” Hannibal answered. “But if you want to start now, I could show you the fundamentals.”

Will rolled his eyes. “Of course you know how to use a bow and arrow. You probably know how to ride a horse, how to dance the perfect Wiener Waltz and which fork to use first.”

Hannibal blinked a bit taken aback by Will´s rant. “To be perfectly honest, I do.”

“You know what: go to hell Mr. Perfect.” Will stomped over to the stand with the bows and the quiver of arrows, took one pair and walked over to the shooting range. It had been a few years since he learned this but his father had an old fishing buddy who had been wild over traditional weapons and Will had been interested enough to learn. Since then he sometimes revisited the bow and arrow occasionally since he hoped it would help his aim with a gun to shoot with other weapons. He took aim and it was either the gods of dramatic irony looking down on him or the pure anger he felt over Hannibal fucking Lecter but the arrow perfectly hit the black bull´s eye.

Hannibal´s mouth stood slightly open in astonishment as Will ripped the quiver and bow off and pushed both in the doctor´s open arm. “How about you practice a bit more before you try to teach me in my own terrain, DR. LECTER!”

And he turned around and stormed off. Halfway down the path Matthew came up to him. “Oh Will, there you are.” Will grabbed him by the collar and pulled him down the path with him. “Wait, aren´t we going to do archery?”

“I changed my mind!” Will growled. It didn´t help his mood that behind the camera following him he could see Jimmy and Brian suppress their silent laughter.

SSA_SarahSunshine: OMG!

enbymurderhusbands: Damn, somebody stood up on the wrong side of the bed Graham was PISSED OFF

Islandlover: I told you Graham is a total nutcase.

SSA_SarahSunshine: He´s probably just annoyed by every alpha he meets acting as if they are better at shooting than the literal FBI AGENT

Hannibal72384: Most FBI agents know how to shoot guns not bow and arrow, no wonder Hannibal tried helping. And he was so friendly to him too, Graham is a total asshole. Clearly Hannibal shouldn´t waste any more time with him.

Pielover515: Actually they seemed astonishingly familiar when did they even meet before?

Lovelovelove: They live in the same house, probably ran into each other on the way to the loo

Hannigramm: And so it begins

Chapter Text

Matthew was actually not as bad as Will had feared. In the end they went to a course for making artful knots and it reminded Will of making his own fishing lures. Matthew didn´t seem to mind the sudden change in plans and even managed to start a discussion about post-mortem decomposition that Will could add his own expertise in.

Unfortunately he was also far too touchy-feely for Will´s comfort and regularly leaned into his space or put a hand on his knee. He was happy when the course finally ended. At least he was until they returned to the mansion and Will tried to say goodbye.

Matthew smiled at him with a raised eyebrow. “Didn´t you know? Today is our weekly group dinner!”

Will swallowed hard. “Weekly group dinner? Is there maybe a way to avoid it? Suicide? Murdering the producers?”

Matthew´s smile grew and he managed to somehow show even more teeth - maybe he was like a shark with several rows of them. “Oh, I would love to see you try attacking a producer but I honestly don´t think it would help much.”

“I understand your feelings.” Out of nowhere Hannibal Lecter´s voice spoke next to Will who nearly jumped out of his skin. “The first time I saw what food they served for dinner around here I wanted to commit Seppuku, too.”

“Jesus Christ.” Will cursed, holding a hand to his heart that felt like jumping out of his chest. “Somebody needs to put a bell on you.”

“Apologizes, it comes with the occupation.”

Will frowned. “Psychatrist?”

“No, surgeon.” Hannibal gave him a smile sweet enough to give you cavities. “Wouldn´t want to your patient to wake up while cutting them open because you were too loud.”

Will blinked in surprise and then couldn´t suppress a small laugh. “Wait… was that a joke?”

Hannibal looked enormously pleased with himself. “I´ve been known to make those.”

“Well it was pretty bad.” Will tried to suppress a grin. “And tasteless.”

Matthew chuckled next to him. “In my experience the best jokes are. Where did you leave your date, Dr. Lecter? Forgot him in the cooler?”

There was a sharp look he exchanged with Hannibal before he turned his eyes away and Hannibal smiled again. “I fear the producers of this show don´t think we need a proper cooler, no matter how much good it would do the food. Maybe they fear one of the contestants will get lost and freeze to death and that would truly be…” His pressed his lips together and looked in annoyance at Franklyn who just stepped out of a door nearby. “… a pity. Excuse me.” And he vanished as suddenly as he appeared leaving a confused Franklyn behind.

Will raised an eyebrow at Matthew. “What was that about?”

“Oh, Dr. Lecter and I share a hobby.”

“You mean cooking?” Will felt like he was missing something important.

Matthew´s smile didn´t reach his eyes this time. “More like an interest in what goes into the hunting and later preparations of the game.”

“Oh,” Will blinked. “Do you hunt? I´m more of a fisherman.”

“I do on occasion.” Matthew answered. “In the end hunting and fishing isn´t so different is it?”

“One you catch, the other you shoot.” Will muttered absent-mindedly.

“And you´re quite the catch, aren´t you.” Matthew offered his arm to Will. “Shall we?”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Apparently all the contestants ate at a rather large table on the patio if the weather allowed it. The table stood next to a bar that would probably be visited after the meal. Will knew there were about fifteen people on the show right now, which weren´t too many in all honesty but he felt as if he was at a crowded concert. As he stepped through the patio door with Matthew Will´s legs locked into place at everyone´s eyes turning to them.

Luckily he was saved by Alana Bloom stepping out of the crowd and pulling him into a hug. “Will, it is so lovely to see you again.”

Will slightly relaxed but still only managed to pat her awkwardly on the back. “Yeah, not so many deranged FBI agents around here, are they? Probably got bored without my self-destructive behavior.”

Alana rolled her eyes at him. “Oh please, you missed my nagging. Speaking of that: You probably barely ate anything today like you always do. Let´s sit down for dinner!”

She guided him to the table by the arm and Will saw an unhappy frown on Matthew´s face before he followed them, sitting on the other side of Will. “I didn´t know you two knew each other, Alana.”

Alana responding smile was cool – she didn´t seem to like him very much – and she put a possessive arm around Will. “Oh we go way back.”

Will sighed. “Please tell me that you won´t start drumming your hands on your chest and throwing shit at each other like monkeys, yes alphas? I promise to be a good little omega and not get eaten by a saber-toothed tiger.”

“I think you´re getting your metaphors mixed up.” Alana pointed out, clearly not very insulted by Will´s words. She had always been very rational about her instincts, one of the reasons why Will liked her.

Matthew on the other hand didn´t seem very happy. “Say where is your date, Alana?”

“Bedelia and I needed… some distance over our professional differences.”

“Psychology discussions?” Will guessed. He remembered Hannibal calling Bedelia a colleague.

Alana´s smile became a bit more forced. “Kind of.”

“You cannot honestly keep claiming that beer is superior to wine.” An annoyed voice came from the other side of the table. Will turned his head to see Bedelia Du Maurier´s pretty lips pressed together hard enough that they seemed white. “And that coming from a friend of Hannibal Lecter!”

“Bedelia I really think…” Alana started but stopped as Will giggled.

Will looked from Alana to Bedelia and back. “You´re arguing about alcohol? I thought it would be a deep psychology discussion of Nature vs. Nurture or something.”

Bedelia wrinkled her nose. “Well, the absolute disregard Alana has for the importance of genetics in…”

“I do not disregard it, I just don´t put such an excessive…” Alana stopped her ranting and took a deep breath. “Let´s talk about this later!” She pushed Will into a seat and leaned towards him from her seat and whispered in his ear. “Argh, I can´t stand her, could she make it more obvious that she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth?”

Will cocked his head. “Could it be a case of seeing yourself in another person and not liking your mirror image?”

Alana scoffed. “I don´t know what you mean!”

“Confident, successful, mature woman who puts more time in her psychiatrist job than trying to get a family and doesn´t like getting told what to think. Sounds familiar?”

Alana sighed “When did you get so mature?”

“Last week.” Will answered. “I had to give up an eye for it but luckily there are good prosthetics nowadays.”

Alana chuckled and Will felt his shoulders losing some of their tension. Until a cultured voice spoke up behind him. “Alana dear, would you mind if I sat here? Dinner will start soon and most other seats are already taken”

Hannibal Lecter walked around the table to point at the chairs opposite of Alana and Will. Franklyn followed him like a lost duckling.

Before Will could stop her Alana nodded happily. “Oh, of course Hannibal!”

Will started wondering if he could kill himself with the salad fork next to his plate. Matthew sitting next to him didn´t look especially happy either. Neither did Franklyn actually. He jumped up and gave Hannibal a big smile. “How about I bring us both some food? I know how to behave like a proper omega!” He gave Will a dirty look

Hannibal seemed very happy at the idea. “Oh yes, please go.”

Matthew rolled his eyes and stage-whispered to Will. “Don´t worry, I appreciate unconventional omegas. How about I bring us some food?”

“That would be nice.” Will patted Matthew´s arm. Then he was left with Alana and Hannibal.

“So,” Alana began. “I was really surprised to see you here. What happened with you and Margot?”

Hannibal raised an eyebrow at Will. “You dated shortly before coming to the island?”

Will´s fingernails dug into his palm and didn´t answer. Unfortunatly Alana didn´t seem to get the message: “He was actually going to have a child that´s why I was confused seeing him here.”

Hannibal seemed fascinated. “You were pregnant, Will?”

“No,” Will answered reluctantly. “She was.”

Alana sensing his discomfort put a calming hand on his shoulder. “I´m so sorry, did Margot miscarry?”

“Something like that.” Will really didn´t want to think of Mason Verger right now. “So what about you? You´ve been on the island for what? Half a year? How are the dating partners around here?”

“Oh.” Alana´s eyes wandered over to Hannibal and she blushed. “The people around here are… nice. I have to admit I spend most my days with Hannibal until he decided I wasn´t up to his standards.”

“Nonsense, Alana.” Hannibal spoke up while giving her a soft look. “It had nothing to do with my standards, any person would be lucky to date you. I fear I just saw you more as a good friend than anything more.”

Alana blushed and gave a delicate shrug. “Well, I´m by far not the first woman who´s heart you broke.” She glanced over to Bedelia.

“As it sounds Hannibal has already broken any und everyone´s heart on this island.” Will grumbled. “Including the producer´s and film crew´s.”

Alana looked thoughtful. “There actually was that scandal…”

“How about I get us some wine to drink?” Hannibal sprang up and for the first time Will saw him blush.

Will raised an eyebrow. “Missing your date already?” He pointedly looked at Franklyn standing at the bar.

Hannibal looked between Franklyn and Alana who gleefully smiled ready to tell her tale. He sighed and sat down again. “Don´t believe a word she says.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After the dinner everyone gathered around the bar and with a few drinks the mood became far more relaxed. Alana and Bedelia had challenged each other to taste their favorite beer/wine. They still hated each other´s drink but were now drunkenly gossiping about Hannibal.

“Did he also always philosophized about absolute nonsense while dinning with you?” Bedelia said, gesticulating with her glass so that the wine came dangerously close to spill.

“Oh my god, yes.” Alana nodded emphatically. “All about how god let churches fall on people and that trout are all fucking…
“Nietzschean fish!” Bedelia and Alana said at the same time and dissolved in laughter.

Hannibal was very good at putting a benevolent face on while he listened to his exes gossip about him and sipping wine. Franklyn had overindulged in wine in his nervousness and was lying unconscious on the ground to his feet. Hannibal didn´t seem to care.

Meanwhile Matthew had put an arm around Will who was drunk enough to actually appreciated the warmth to his touch-starved body for once.

Maybe it wouldn´t be as bad here as he feared it would.

LadyNyx6: Ok, I have to say Alana and Will are kind of adorable together

Lovelovelove: I hope in the next dating round they get to go out.

DaringD: What I want to know is who TF is Margot? And how did Will get her pregnant?

BoneSoupMmm: Male omegas can impregnate others, you know.

DaringD: Yeah but that is nearly impossible with female alphas or betas.

LadyNyx6: Maybe he´s gay and dated an omega. Could explain why he´s like the only person not finding Hannibal Lecter hot

Calm2021Tangerine: He could have said something to Freddy or Chilton. No point in him dating alphas if he doesn´t like them

Hannibal72384: Not finding Hannibal hot is impossible. It´s just aesthetics.

DaringD: And if Margot is an omega, why isn´t she on the island, too? Unless she´s much younger

Mysterious_L: I can´t wait for the gossip articles researching this detective case to the last detail

Bedelecter: Won´t anyone talk about the Nitzean fish thing???

Hannigramm: Hannigramm forever!

Chapter Text

Will woke up to his phone ringing and groaned. He patted his hand on his nightstand until he found it und blinked into the bright light of his phone to find out who he would kill the minute he got away from this damn island: It was Jack.

“Somebody has better died for you think you have a reason to call at this kind of hour.” He growled into the phone.

Jack sounded nonplussed. “Of course someone died why else would I call you?”

Will groaned and rubbed his tired eyes. He had walked right into that one, hadn´t he? “Nice to hear what you really think, Jack.”

“Cut the nonsense, I have three mutilated corpses here.”

“And I´m stuck on an island until I let some alpha jizz into me.”, Will answered irritably. “I´m not sure how I´m supposed to help with that.”

“I´ve seen what you can do with a few photos.” Jack pointed out. “I´ll have them send over today and you just tell me what you can figure out.”

“I want a dog.”

“Excuse me?”

Will patted Winston who laid next to him in bed. The dog had woken up by the loud ring tone and was looking up at him out of adoring eyes. “If I´m supposed to solve your crime for you again, I want you to get another dog on the island for me.”

“There´s too much security.” Jack protested.

“Too much Security for a dog but not enough to catch crime photos?”

“People are dying here, Graham.”

“And I´m only allowed one dog.”, Will answered petulantly. “What´s the real tragedy here?”

He was completely bluffing, if Jack somehow got the pictures to Will he would do whatever he could to solve the crime and stop people from dying. But if Jack also managed to get him another dog that wouldn´t really hurt either, would it? Especially considering he called his cell at four in the fucking morning.

Since Will wouldn´t fall asleep after his harsh wakeup call (both literally and metaphorically) he dressed himself and went on a walk with Winston. The dog loved the waves of the sea that he hadn´t been able to experience until Will had been… relocated and seagulls were his new favorite target to chase. Will had to admit he didn´t really mind the sea himself - if he´d only come here under happier circumstances. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath of the salty air, trying not to think of the bloody bodies which would consume his thoughts soon.

At least his day couldn´t get much worse.

“The air is much fresher out here, isn´t it?”

Will jumped and jerked around to see Hannibal fucking Lecter in his goddamn perfect suit standing next to him staring into the waves as if it wasn´t early enough that the sun had barely risen. Will´s day had just gotten worse.

“I swear to god, I will break into your closet and put a bloody bell on every piece of clothing you own!” Will´s patience was stretched enough by lack of sleep as it was.

Humor danced in Lecter´s eyes. “I didn´t know you were so desperate to see my undergarments.”

Will rolled his eyes. “Only trying to find out how big the stick is that you rich people like to insert into your behind every day.”

“How… graphic.” Hannibal didn´t really seemed perturbed.

Will sighed. “What do I have to do to get rid of you? I would have thought you wouldn´t suffer someone as rude as me so easily.”

“Your tactic to get rid of me is rather apparent. All you´re doing is trying to build the walls around your mind and heart up high enough so I wouldn´t so much as consider to climb them. As a psychiatrist I would be really bad at my job if I´d let myself be deterred by such an obvious attempt.” Hannibal gave a small smile “And you´d be surprised how easily I can suffer the rude - sometimes I even search them out. They are quite palatable in… small portions.”

Will knew there was an inside joke hidden in there somewhere but he was too tired to try to find it. “So you only like hanging out with me because you like to psychoanalyze the weirdo?”

“No, I like being in your company because I think you´re interesting.”

Will scoffed. “Because I´m an omega with a career instead of ten children?”

Hannibal looked into his eyes. “Because you´re you.”

Will didn´t know how to answer that.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once they got back to the mansion Will immediately got whisked away by Beverly inside a small room filled with mirrors and cloth lines. Winston was trotting alongside them happily.

Beverly didn´t even wait before they closed the door until the words escaped her like a water fall: “Oh my god, you´re not even on the island for a week and you already snagged a private date with Hannibal? Other people wait for months before they get a chance.” Then she frowned at black rings under Will´s eyes. “Dear god, where the two of your up all night?”

“Most definitely not! I was just going for a walk with Winston and Hannibal showed up.” Will answered disgruntled. “And what is all this fuzz about anyway? I thought I only needed to go on a date every few days why are you dolling me up again?”

“Well that´s true but it´s time for the confessionals for your last date!”

Will´s day had just gotten a lot worse at once.

“So what did you think of your first date with Matthew?” A random reporter asked Will who was squished into a small pink sofa surrounded by stuff that fit in with the sea-theme the show seemed to be running with: A small boat in a bottle, a few seashells and a stature of a lighthouse were balanced on light-blue colored shelves surrounding him. All Will could think about was how comfortable the sofa and how tired he was. This was going to be a long afternoon.

“Franklin was… perfectly polite.” Hannibal could have sat on a throne instead on the blue sofa reserved for alphas and he would have looked just as aloof and above everyone around him. “I´m sure he really tried.”

“It was really nice seeing Will again.” Alana said casually with a small smile on her face. “I did kind of miss him.”

“Is that really all you have to say?”

Will tried to suppress a yawn. “Matthew has… has brown hair?”

The reporter pressed his lips together. “I´ve noticed.”

“Then why are you asking me those useless questions?”

“Should I instead tell you about all the wonderful facts Franklin has told me about cheese?” Hannibal´s voice was dripping in sarcasm. “Apparently we´re cheese buddies.”

The reporters lips twitched slightly. “I… don´t think that´s necessary.”

Hannibal gave her a smug smirk. “Oh I insist!”

“I mean Bedelia and I got on fine…” Alana sounded hesitant and added in a much smaller voice. “…once we were drunk.”

“How come you decided against your archery course?” The reporter asked Will. “You seemed so keen in the beginning. Did something spook you off?” He raised an eyebrow. “Were you afraid your alpha might get distracted by a rich omega next to you?”

“I was more spooked by Franklin´s terrible aim.” Will responded. “I don´t want to end up like a Skyrim ex-adventurer.”

The reporter looked at him blankly.

Will sighed. “Shot in the knee, you cretin.” He hoped more nonsensical references might get him to his bed sooner.

“You and Franklin associate in the same circles.” The reporter pointed out to Hannibal. “You should have a lot to talk about.”

“If we run in the same circles like you say we therefore see the same things. So what are we supposed to talk about that the other doesn´t already know?” Hannibal answered with a raised eyebrow.

“I… I… mean you could talk about what you just experienced.”

“Is that what you do with your partner? Sounds… riveting.”

He finally got the woman to lose her bearings and couldn´t help the smirk. At least until she grasped for any straw to keep her conversation afloat. “Is that why you talked to Will so much at dinner?”

“Oh,” Hannibal´s eyes started gleaming and he leaned forward in his chair. “We are talking about Will now?”

“Will and I have been friends for years now.” Alana said.

“And in all this time you never took your friendship the next step?” The reporter asked.

Alana raised an eyebrow. “I don´t think friendships need a “next step” no matter if they are between an alpha and an omega or just same-orientated people.”

“Of course.” The reporter answered but she could see in his eyes that he only tried to placate her. “I´m just surprised that is all.”

“You have a cactus on your desk, don´t you?” Alana changed the subject.

The reporter frowned. “I do. It was a present I got from my sister years ago.”

Alana gave him a sweet smile. “I´m surprised that you never considered taking “the next step” with it since you have such a long-lasting relationship.”

“Mr. Graham, could you please stop falling asleep.”

Will groaned. “You don´t know what you´re asking me for here.”

“Could you take this seriously?”

“Listen if are so desperate to find someone to talk to, I recommend getting a dog. They have no trouble listening to your dribble and answer readily, right Winston?” Will looked at his dog and Winston barked once. “Good boy.”

“But Mat…”

“Ah, ah, ah.” Will let his head fall back down and raised a single finger. “Talk to the dog.”

“And Will´s answer at that time is really eye-opening I think.” Hannibal continued his monologue while the female reporter in front of him did her best to keep her eyes open. “I think it really shows his emotional vulnerability…”

“Dr. Lecter!” The reporter seemed to have enough and finally interrupted him. “This is all very fascinating but are you sure this is the right time to talk about this?”

Hannibal looked at her with a thoughtful frown. “I fear Bedelia has stopped our therapy sessions since I arrived on this island. Maybe I should ask her to resume…”

At this point in time his phone vibrated and he looked down at it with a frown. There was just one word written in the message flashing on the screen. “No.”

He looked up at the reporter again. “She seemed to have declined. If we could resume our talk, I think Will…”

“Somebody get a bucket of water in here.” A shout echoed through the mansion. “We need to wake Graham up.”

“Not only him if this continues.” The woman interviewing Hannibal mumbled.

Helljoy: Is it normal for the confessionals to cut so much to footage of a dog?

SSA_SarahSunshine: Maybe they´re trying to boost the ratings? People like dogs.

UmbrellaDelicate: Winston forever!!!

Hannibal72384: But they cut poor Hannibal nearly out of everything. I would have loved to hear what he thought about some of the stunts Graham pulled.

Hannigramm: What he said probably wasn´t PG ;)

Hannibal72384: Get your mind out of the gutter.

Pielover515: Hannibal probably hadn´t much to say about Franklin. I mean, I wouldn´t either. Poor reporter who interviewed him probably had a hard time to get him talking.

MatingIsland: Oh you have no idea.

Chapter Text

Jack murder pictures did arrive, together with Ellie – Will´s sweet curly haired mutt that apparently was both small and tame enough that Jack could smuggle her in. Ellie got hugged hard and long enough that most dogs would have gotten uncomfortable but she endured it with patience and happily licked over Will´s face – she probably missed him too.

The pictures brought Will far less joy but he did manage to find a proper lead and got some satisfaction out of texting Jack what he found out. At least he was useful in some way even while stuck on this bloody island.

Sadly he couldn´t hide in his room with his dogs forever and at some point in the morning a loud knock ripped him from his little dog-heaven. Beverly’s voice came from behind the door. “Will, it´s time for your make-up.”

“Wearing make-up every day is bad for your skin.” Will grumbled.

Beverly laughed. “Welcome to the world of the stars. If you make enough money you can pay for plastic surgery once you’re old and wrinkly. Or you steal the blood of children to keep yourself young, that’s at least what the internet claims.”

“Oh joy, as a child I always wanted to be a vampire.¹ ” Will sighed and walked to the door. “What am I suffering through today?”

As he opened the door he saw Beverly’s wide smile. “The weekly challenge is upon us.” She looked down where Winston and Ellie had followed Will and raised an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure I´m not drunk enough to see double.”

“Not a word.” Will hissed and quickly closed the door between his dogs and him.

Beverly mimed zipping her lips shut.

“Get a move on we don´t have all day.”, said Brian who was standing behind her with his microphone and Jimmy next to him.

“Yeah, yeah.” Beverly walked past the two with Will following suit. As Will passed Brian he got a whiff of a… peculiar smell. For a moment he stopped walking to get a better impression of it but as he recognized the smell he fastened his steps without looking back.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It took an hour until Will and his team was ready to join everyone else at the swimming pool where the paring ceremony had taken place a few days before. This time they didn´t stand divided in alphas and omegas but together with their current dates which was maybe the reason why Hannibal only appeared in the very last second before Freddie came on the stage. Franklin immediately threw his arms around Hannibal who looked as if he was considering either dumping Franklin in the pool or drowning himself.

Luckily for him Freddie started talking: “It´s our favorite time of the week: Our dear viewers have voted for a new challenge. Are we excited?” She looked at the show contestants on the other side of the pool: No one reacted. Clearly annoyed Freddie repeated. “Aren´t. We. Excited?” Half-hearted cheers followed - most of them from Franklin. Hannibal looked even more ready for murder but Freddie gave Franklin a sugar-sweet smile. “Thank you.” She got a bright red envelope out from her pocket and held it high so the cameras could capture the moment. “I´m so excited to find out the newest challenge.” She paused for dramatic effect and then finally opened it. Her eyes wandered over the paper and she made a - clearly faked - shocked face before she announced. “It´s a cooking challenge with a twist: Everyone will be chained to their current partner and you´ll have to work together to make a dish. The most delicious meal gets a reward.”

Franklin clapped his hands in delight and turned to Hannibal. “Oh, we’re definitely going to win this, I can’t wait for our reward.”

If glares could kill Franklin would be dead by now - since they couldn’t Hannibal gave a forced smile instead. “Sure.”

As the contestants turned to follow the camera crew to their new filming location Will saw out of the corner of his eye how Hannibal pushed a bit too hard against Franklin’s shoulder. Then he heard a loud splash.

“Oh.” Hannibal looked down at the soaked Franklin in the pool without remorse. “How clumsy of me.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The contestants got pushed along several corridors until they ended up in the industrial kitchen in the cellar of their mansion that was probably used to make their daily meals. It had been cleaned up and restocked with new, expensive-looking kitchenware and ingredients that were artfully arranged on a table. There were also dividers put in so there were several sections probably so they could cook in pairs.

On the way to the kitchen Will had lost sight of Hannibal and as he saw him again, he was whispering with an omega Will didn´t recognize with a young face and short brown hair. Will turned to Matthew who hadn’t let go of his hand so far. “Who is that omega over there?”

Matthew followed his gaze. “Oh that is Randall Tier. He and Hannibal used to date but Hannibal broke it off. Apparently they remained friends.” He leaned in closer to Will. “I heard he’s a furry.”

Will raised an eyebrow. “What? Seriously?”

Matthew shrugged. “He likes to dress up in animal costumes - that’s at least what I heard from a friend in the crew. They keep it silent because they’re afraid it might hurt the ratings.”

Will huffed. “The guy called `animal` in German likes to dress up like one, you wonder if whoever named him had a premonition.”

Matthew shrugged. “There are hundreds of people whose name oddly fits, it happens. Why are you asking after him anyway?”

Will shrugged. He had a bad feeling about seeing Hannibal talk to Randall but he couldn´t quite put his finger on why. “Just trying to get to know everyone here I guess.”

“An admirable attempt.” Matthew answered. “Keeping an eye on the other contestants can be a valuable tool but hopefully we won´t need to remain here much longer since we found each other.”

Will didn´t have the heart to tell Matthew he wasn´t interested in him.

Then a – now dry – Franklin stumbled into the kitchen towards Hannibal and a female omega in a short dress carrying handcuffs followed him. She made a big show off making the alphas line up and putting a cuff around the left hand of everyone. Will noted that cuffing the alphas left hand meant that statistically most of them had their dominant hand free while the omegas dominant hand would be cuffed. He didn´t like the implications.

Then it was the omegas turn to stand next to their alpha while they got cuffed. Will stood next to Matthew with Franklin in front of him and Randall Tier behind him, giving him the feeling as if he was surrounded by a pack of wild wolves… wild wolves and Franklin. The omega who brought the chains was making her way up the line, giggling obnoxiously as she cuffed the pairs together with all cameras and eyes aimed at her.

Will glared at her hard enough that he was taken by complete surprise as someone stumbled into him from behind and he got pushed forward. In his surprise he fell unto Franklin who slammed into the ground gracelessly and Matthew who had instinctually tried to catch Will fell with them. There was a great tangle of limps and bodies as several people tried to help entangle them and get them back on their feet and as Will finally managed to fight himself free he stood with a cuff connecting his right hand to…

“You got to be fucking kidding me!” Will glared at Hannibal who held his hand up that was connected to him by the chain that was about four inches wide.

Hannibal gave him an innocent look. “The cuff must have gotten around your wrist by accident.”

Will gave him a look that clearly conveyed who-do-you-think-you’re-kidding and then looked back into the mess of bodies still on the ground. Matthew´s handcuff was now somehow connected to Randall´s right hand meanwhile Franklin was cuffed to an alpha that Will didn´t know but who didn´t look very pleased at this development.

Will took a step closer to Hannibal to angrily whisper in his ear. “You don´t honestly think you can manipulate me so easily, do you?”

By now several producers were running around shouting: “The key? Where is the key to the cuffs?”

“It must have fallen from my pocket.” Another one shouted.

Will took a deep breath to keep from screaming and continued his angry whisper. “I worked in the FBI for nearly ten years I know how to break open a handcuff.”

Hannibal gave him a pleading look and this time it didn´t look fake. He whispered back in Will´s ear. “I´m begging you, name whatever prize you want but don´t leave me alone with Franklin in a kitchen. I might actually lose my composure and stab him.”

Will looked back to Franklin who was still lying on the ground and who had started shouting at the producers still searching the keys and he sighed. “Fine but you owe me one.”

Hannibal gave him a bright smile back. “The sun, the moon and the sky if you want.”

Will tried to ignore the flip his stomach made at that comment.

It took a lot of the producers running around like chickens without heads and screaming until it was finally decided that they´d just keep the pairs as they were for now since they wouldn´t be able to finish filming in time if they didn´t. Which ended up with Will standing next to Hannibal chains keeping them close enough that Will could feel his every move.

Hannibal smiled at him as if it was the most normal situation in the world. “So what would you like to cook today?”

Will blinked. “I get to decide?”

“I’d gathered you’re more of an amateur to cooking.” Hannibal answered. “As a master of the art I can cook anything so I´ll orient myself on what you’re comfortable cooking.”

“And you’re so modest about it.”

Hannibal shrugged. “False modesty is foolish. I’ve been cooking for decades why would I lie about that?”

Will just rolled his eyes. “I can make a decent meal out of fish.”

“Then let´s gather the ingredients.”

On the way to the ingredient table Will bumped into Alana and as Hannibal was considering each vegetable individually she turned to him to start a conversation. “That was a weird coincidence with the chains wasn’t it?” She gave him a knowing smile.

Bedelia next to her just looked resigned. “Another of the great coincidences surrounding the great Hannibal Lecter. I wouldn´t be surprised if water soon coincidentally decided to flow upwards while he was around.”

“It probably would if he tried to convince it.” Will answered. “What meal are you two going to prepare?”

“Cookie dough.” Alana answered.

Will frowned. “You mean you’re making cookies?”

“No.” Alana answered. “I mean we’re going to make cookie dough and eat it raw while we watch the shit show around us. Hannibal is going to win with his meal anyway so why bother?”

Will couldn´t help but laugh. “I don’t think that´s very healthy.”

Bedelia shrugged her petite shoulders. “Neither is being friends with Hannibal Lecters. I’ve survived him so far, I’ll survive some cookie dough.”

Their conversation was interrupted by loud noises: “No, making cheese isn’t a good damn meal!” The alpha chained to Franklin shouted. “And seared scallops is made of fish you cretin.”

Hannibal´s hand landed on Will’s shoulder and he murmured. “Maybe it´s time to move on? Tobias seemed to be quite… agitated.”

Will nodded in agreement and they walked over to the cooler with fish. This time Will pushed himself forward and took an expertly look of the fish. After a few seconds he decided for a good-looking salmon and carried it over to their work station.

Hannibal looked at him gathering a knife to cut into the fish. “Are you sure you want to take care of the fish? Considering you’re not even using the most efficient knife…”

He stopped talking as Will expertly cut open the salmon, got rid of the fish bones and scales and pushed them to the side. Then Will smirked at Hannibal. “I’ve been preparing fish since I’ve been four. Just because my family didn’t have the money for a thousand-dollar-fancy knife doesn’t mean I’m not ten times as good at preparing it than you.”

Hannibal smiled back and leaned closer to whisper. “False modesty is foolish.” Then he turned to take care of the vegetables.

It didn´t take long and several pots and pans were bubbling on the stove and it turned out Hannibal was impossibly elegant even while being forced to stay within inches of Will. Not everyone was so lucky: Bedelia and Alana had managed to stumble over each other several times before it was decided that Bedelia was the better cook so Alana sat on a stool next to the table while Bedelia put the ingredients in her bowl. Matthew somehow managed to fall to the ground with Randall lying on top of him and Tobias who was quite a bit lighter than Franklin was pulled around by him.

Will turned back to Hannibal. “I have to admit, you’re a just as good of a cook with fish as with everything else.”

Hannibal looked please. “I assure you, I’m not… fishing for compliments.”

Will starred at him for a second before he burst out laughing. “Oh god, that was terrible.”

Hannibal rubbed at his neck sheepishly. “I have to admit it wasn’t quite up to my usual standard of joke.”

“Hannibal, all your puns are terrible!”

“They are not!”

“I would make you walk the plankton for your puns if I could.” Will said and burst out laughing again.

By now several producers looked at them with indignation but that only made Will laugh more. Even Hannibal was clearly trying to suppress laughter. “They are watching us, better look e-fish-ent.”

Will’s rips were starting to hurt. “We’re probably not so-fish-ticated enough for them.”

Hannibal let out a small laugh. “I think you’re quite ex-squid-sit, Will.”

Their exchange was interrupted by sudden shouting.

“FIRE, FIRE!”

Will turned around to see a giant darting flame escape the stove where Tobias and Franklin had just stood. Now it was abandoned with Franklin lying on the ground a few meters away and Tobias standing over him with a bloody knife. Tobias looked down at his companion with mild alarm on his face. “It looks like he ran into my knife trying to escape from the fire. What an… unfortunate accident.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“The poor meal completely destroyed.” Hannibal lamented as they stood in the front yard of the mansion while the fire brigade tried to get the fire under control.

“Someone just got stabbed.” Alana pointed out with her cookie dough still in hand. Franklin had just been loaded into an ambulance with Tobias still chained to him.

“Yes.” Hannibal answered. “I guess Franklin got quite re-puffed by Tobias.”

Will had to bite his lip to not smile. “Do you think the stabbing was really an accident?”

“On the one hand, he ran into his knife three times.” Bedelia pointed out. “On the other hand… it is Franklin we’re talking about. If anyone could accomplish such a feat that him.”

“Seems a bit fishy to me.” Will pointed out with a smile.

“You two are terrible.” Alana grumbled. “Scale back the fish puns, dear god!” Then she noticed what she said when Will started giggling. “No, that’s not… that wasn’t intentional!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking aboat.” Will said.

“You’re all a-trout-cious.“ Bedelia said shaking her head but there was a small smile gracing her face.

Since the whole challenge turned out to be an absolute disaster Freddie scrambled to find something to salvage the next episode of the show which was why the contestants found themselves back in the studio where Will had first been introduced to the show – now finally chainless. Will was curious what Freddie would pull out of her sleeve to give the viewers something even remotely watchable.

“Dear viewers, I fear I have to tell you that there was a terrible accident that managed to severely harm our dear friend, Franklin Froideveaux.” Freddie’s face looked fittingly somber, Hannibal’s did not – neither was Will’s for fish-pun related reasons - but luckily the cameras weren’t pointed at them right now. “I’ve been told he’ll make a full recovery but for the foreseeable future he won’t join us again. We’re all thinking of him and wishing him a fast recovery.”

As Will’s eyes wandered over the other contestants he had the feeling very few wished Franklin anything remotely similar to a speedy recovery.

After an appropriate solemn pause Freddie gave the camera a smile. “But luckily bad news often can come in combination with a good announcement as well: I’m delighted to tell you we have a new omega joining us this week. It’s such unusual lucky for us to have two new contestants so close to each other and I hope all of you will be as happy as I am to greet out newest member: Margot Verger!”

DaringD: Did you see the behind the scene photos of Hannibal and Will cuffed together? What did I miss there???

Hannigramm: Hannigram forever!

Hannibal72384: It was an accident while filming the cooking challenge.

Enbymurderhusbands: An accident where Will and Hannibal got chained together and Franklin got injured? What the fuck was going on there? At least they finally got rid of Franklin, lol.

LadyNyx6: Apparently they also sat the kitchen aflame.

Hannigramm: They sat the kitchen aflame with their love and Will got rid off Franklin in his jealousy.

Islandlover: More like Graham snapped and went loose on everyone.

UmbrellaDelicate: I doubt Will would have just sat in the audience with Margot’s introduction if he did either of those things.

BoneSoupMmm: Wait a moment, is that the Margot Will apparently got pregnant?

WillibalGrater: This could get interesting.

AttaGirlChiyoh:

Chapter Text

Since Margot joined them on the island Will had tried to find a way to talk to her in private but every time something - or rather someone - came in between them: Starting with her meddlesome make-up artist, to several camera people and producers who always appeared out of nothing.

At his fifth try of the day he was finally intercepted by Brian who for once wasn’t found in the company of Jimmy. As Will tried to step by him he took hold of his arm and pulled him in an empty room that seemed to contain a small library.

“What are you doing? Let go of me!”, Will hissed at him angrily.

“Can’t.” Brian answered. “We have strict instructions to not leave you alone with Mrs. Verger.”

“By whom?” Will asked.

Brian put a finger up. “The ones high enough up in the TV station that they probably have golden appliances in their bathrooms.”

“Because they don’t want to see a homosexual pair on the show?” Will questioned. “I thought Alana and Hannibal were allowed to date.”

The tone technician shrugged. “Maybe they were just prettier than you.” He leaned in closer. “Or maybe the Verger family has something to do with it. Bunch of stuck up bitches as far as I heard; they probably wouldn’t like a Verger baby coming from two omegas.”

“And you’re just doing what you’ve been told without questioning it?”

“I need the job.” Brian answered casually. “And to be honest I don’t really care about this. I don’t especially like you if you haven’t noticed.”

“Do I remind you a bit too much of yourself?” Will bit back.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” Brian hunched slightly over as if to protect himself from a blow.

“You should take better care of your scent suppressors the omega smell is far too obvious.” Will explained.

“Damnit.” Brian murmured.

“So what are you doing here of all places if you’re trying to hide your designation?”

“Hiding in plain sight I guess.” He answered. “I don’t want some alpha putting his dick in me just to get little annoying flesh bundles I’m supposed to take care of. No thank you.”

Will huffed a laugh. “Understandable I guess.”

“If you actually understood you would have hidden your designation just as me.”

“Is that why you are angry with me?” Will asked. “Did you ever consider I might like little annoying flesh bundles and don’t mind having some myself?”

“Then why don’t you?” Brian hissed at him annoyed. “Why are you here?”

Will scratched at the back of his head “I’m not exactly what you’d consider a perfect candidate to have babies with for most people.”

Brian raised an eyebrow. “You seem plenty of popular with Lecter.”

Will rolled his eyes. “Oh, don’t remind me. I mean it’s Hannibal Lecter, he probably just thinks I’m an entertaining distraction after he already dated everyone with two legs on the island. Now that someone more up his league joined the competition he’ll probably won’t even give me the time of day.”

Brian raised an eyebrow. “You know for someone who is supposedly so observant you’re astonishingly blind sometimes.” Before Will could ask what he meant Brian turned to leave. “Come on, I need to bring you to Beverly. There is a new activity you need to be dressed up for.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“After our last competition… didn’t go so well,” Freddie Lounds started from her place on the opposite of the pool to the contestants. “We thought it would be best to make another one soon so that we can replace the memories with something better.”

“You mean after the last competition went up in flames.” A man who Will recognized as Antony Dimmond from shouted. He was one of the people Freddie had interviewed on the day of Will’s introduction to the show. Several people laughed at his comment.

Freddie didn’t seem very amused. “Yes, thank you Antony. Well, as I was saying we have found a new challenge chosen by our dear viewers: It is called “Love is blind”. All of you will be blindfolded and then get to kiss each other without knowing who you partner is. A heart monitor will show us who of you are actually compatible and those people will go on dating in the next week.”

“And I thought my first kiss was awkward.” Will heard Bedelia murmur to Alana next to her but she was quiet enough Freddie couldn’t hear her. “How fast will your heart rate become if you get some tongue-on-eye action, I wonder.”

Alana giggled and Will’s heart made a small leap at the thought of kissing her.

“They should procure some stepping stools to give the smaller ones of us even the chance of finding their counterparts mouths.” Hannibal contributed.

At the thought of kissing him Will’s heart stopped and he wasn’t sure if it was anticipation or dread.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The heart monitor proved to be extremely annoying. Not only did it beep continuously but it had apparently been part of medical equipment that had been rejected because it had an annoying computer voice regularly say things like. “You’re heart rate is at an appropriate level.”

As Will’s annoyance at the situation and anger at the constant messages got the better of him and he thought of smashing it, the voice said. “Heart rate elevated, you seem to be agitated. Thinking calming thoughts can help with that. Recommended as a calming thought: think about… kittens.”

After he was brought into a small room away from anyone but his camera team and a producer he was connected to the machine and a red silk blind fold was put over his eyes pushing him into darkness. Once he heard the door closing showing that the producer had left Will took the little clip from his finger that was connected to the heart monitor.

“Heart rate stopped.” The machine helpfully provided. “You’re dead.”

“My god, no wonder those things were discontinued.” Will groaned and pushed the blindfold up far enough that it rested on his forehead.

“Hey, you’re supposed to keep than on.” Jimmy hissed at him. “They could bring the first alpha in at any time.”

Will sighed and put the clip back on his finger but left the blindfold off for now.

“Heart rate resumed.” The machine said. “This is a good sign.”

Will resisted the temptation to throw it against the next wall only because he heard people approach their door. Quickly he pulled the blindfold back down and waited.

The door audibly opened and several pairs of feet approached him together with another regular beeping – probably the alpha guided by someone and their camera team. Then whoever it was suddenly stood in front of him. He felt their breath on his face.

“You should try mint drops.” Will commented. “Helps with bad breath.”

The beeping coming from the alpha in front of him got quicker and his machine commented: “You seem agitated. Thinking calming thoughts can help with that. Recommended as a calming thought: think about… the ocean.”

The alpha growled in annoyance and Will smirked.

“Well, you two have to kiss.” An impatient voice Will didn’t recognize said.

“How romantic, only us two, the camera teams and the crazy heart monitors.” Will said.

The alpha (who seemed to be a male Will didn’t recognize) scoffed. “Let’s get this over with.”

He kissed Will on the lips. All Will registered was pressure and that the alphas lips were chapped then it already was over.

As if on cue Will’s monitor said: “You have a very pleasant resting pulse. No disturbance whatsoever.”

The alpha stormed out - Will didn’t know if he pushed his blindfold off to be so sure in his step or if he preferred running into a wall if it brought him far away from Will.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And so it went on. Will had lost count how many people he kissed so far but no one had managed to raise his pulse even a little. Sometimes he wondered if he might have already kissed someone he knew without realizing. Maybe those soft lips had been Alana? Or maybe that heart that beat regular like clockwork had belonged to Hannibal? Maybe Bedelia had worn those high heels that clicked on the floor as she walked.

Then suddenly a voice spoke up right next to Will’s ear even though Will could have sworn nobody had entered his room since the last alpha left. “Hello Will.”

Will jerked backwards, nearly stumbled over the cable that went up to his heart monitor and put a hand to his wildly beating heart. “Jesus Christ!”

His heart monitor stopped beeping for a second and then resumed with double the speed. “Your heart stopped temporarily: Could this be love?”

“What the hell is wrong with that THING?” Will directed his anger at the machine.

“I’ve been told, the show’s producers tried to reprogram it.” Hannibal answered casually. “It apparently had only moderate success.”

Will suddenly remembered who he was actually angry with and pointed a finger in the direction of Hannibal. “YOU! I’m not putting a bell on you, I’m chaining a fucking Nokia mobile phone to your arm that I rewire so that it only plays the most annoying alarm clock sound constantly.”

“Why a Nokia phone?” Hannibal sounded curious.

“Because they are undestroyable, everyone knows that!” Will answered. “How did you even know it was me? Did you pull your blindfold off?”

“He didn’t.” Brian answered for Hannibal. “He wore it since he entered the room.”

“I would recognize your scent anywhere.” Hannibal said in something that could have been considered romantic until he added. “You’re cologne smells like something with a ship on the bottle.”

Will’s blood pressure climbed even higher so that his machine commented: “You seem agitated. Thinking calming thoughts can help with that. Recommended as a calming thought: think about… the inevitability of death.”

“Reprogrammed with moderate success my ass!” Will grumbled.

“It seems like my presence has a rather larger impact on you?” Will could hear the smirk in Hannibal’s voice.

Then it finally hit Will what was going on: Hannibal was intentionally pushing his heart beat up before kissing him because in the episode the producers would only show the actual kissing. Nobody would know Will’s heart beat was actually up because Hannibal Lecter was the most infuriating alpha that ever walked the earth. Well if Hannibal wanted to play games…

Will took a deep breath and closed his eyes behind the blindfold. He stood in a stream, the water rushed by him. In his hand he held a fishing rod with one of his self-made lures. He could hear the birds chirp in the woods surrounding the stream.

“What are you doing?” Hannibal’s voice sounded far away.

The water flowed against his wellington boots, the sun fell into his face on his peaceful smile. If only he could stay like this forever. Miles away he thought he could hear a regular beeping but it barely reached him.

Then he felt soft lips on his and a tongue demanding entry and the stream fell away. For a second Will leaned into the kiss not caring how his heart had started beating faster but then it was over.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Will felt the imprint of Hannibal’s lips on his own even as other alphas came and went. For a moment he regretted pushing the alpha away but in the end Hannibal probably only did what he did to prove he could get a reaction out of Will. He would never date someone like… like Will as anything more than a short distraction. Will tried to push those thoughts away but there was little to hold his attention.

Until he recognized the perfume in front of him.

“Hello Alana.” Will smiled at her even though she wouldn’t see it.

“Hello Will.” She put a hand on his arm and started following it down until she could feel for his hand. He fingers closed around his. “I guess this is it, mhm?”

The beeping in the room got faster from both machines.

“I guess it is.” Will leaned in closer. He had wanted to do this for years and finally it happened: Their lips met and Will’s heart stopped for a second.

“Could this be love?” The heart monitor commented.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hannibal wasn’t surprised that Will and Alana got paired in the ceremony. After Will had somehow kept the steady heart rate of a monk in meditation he knew he had lost his game and he couldn’t wait for the next rematch. It was pretty clear that what Will and Alana felt for each other was a deep connection that they confused for romantic love since they both tended to be rather lonely people. She was no real competition for Hannibal.

“I don’t know why you did what you did.” Margot Verger looked absolutely lovely in her black cocktail dress. “But I will tell you now: I’ve been chained to manipulating alphas for all my life you’ll need to do more than cheat at a silly game to chain me down again.”

“Oh, not at all my dear.” Hannibal gave her a bright smile. “I assure you I have no romantic or sexual interest in you. I’d just like to talk.”

She raised a perfect eyebrow. “Talk about what?”

“It depends on what you’d prefer talking about.” Hannibal answered. “How about we talk about you trying to kill your brother? Or would you rather talk about your relationship to Will Graham? I’ve been told I’m an excellent listener.”

Mysterious_L: Ok, at first I thought the challenge was cute but WTF was going on with those heart monitors, lol?

Helljoy: “Could it be love” was that supposed to be cute? And what was that about the inevitability of death?

SSA_SarahSunshine: Is this the start of the robot uprising?

Hannibal72384: Margot and Hannibal are cute together, I can’t wait for their dates.

Bedelecter: I’m disappointed Bedelia and Hannibal didn’t come together but Antony Dimmond isn’t too bad either

Hannigramm: You just wait, I’ll be proven right soon!

Chapter Text

Will wasn’t religious but considering the date and what was happening he was starting to believe there might actually be a god and that he seriously pissed him off at some point in time of his life. Or maybe he pissed them off in a previous life.

He was standing in a big half-circle of the contestants on the lawn close to their mansion and while the camera and tone crews got set up he leaned in closer to Alana next to him. “Alana, what did we all do to you for you to make us suffer like that?”

Alana who was embodying the picture of the cat who got the cream just rolled her eyes. “You’re being dramatic!”

After the disaster that was the cooking challenge Alana had at some point realized that she and Bedelia had been the only ones who had successfully made what they had planned and saved it from the fire and therefore they deserved a reward. She had apparently thrown the producers a bit with her logic but in the end she had been allowed to wish for one thing. And it had been…

“An Easter egg hunt! Of all the things you could have wished for.” Will complained.

Hannibal who was standing on Alana’s other side leaned a bit forward. “I’ll have to agree with Will’s sentiment here.”

Alana gave him a patronizing smile. “Of course you agree with WILL.”

Hannibal saw a lost argument when he had one in front of him and turned to Bedelia next to Will. “I just don’t understand why you agreed to this, Bedelia dear. I would have thought you would find this as puerile as the rest of us.”

“Oh I do.” Bedelia answered. “I just enjoy your suffering more than I try to evade my own.”

“Charming.”

Alana huffed and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “You all just don’t know how to have some fun. Growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional.”

“That sounds like something you find on those stupid wall writing stickers.“ Will grumbled then he looked around himself. “How come that Margot could avoid this insanity anyway?”

“She claims that she has a migraine.” Bedelia answered.

Will groaned. “Can’t I have a migraine?”

“Honey, you’ve been playing your cards completely wrong if you ever wanted to play the feeble omega card.” Bedelia pointed out.

Before Will could complain any further Freddie Lounds stepped in front of them and everyone fell silent.

“Happy Easter!” She exclaimed with a wide, fake smile. “I know you all can barely keep your anticipation to yourselves so I won’t keep you long.” Will looked at the other contestants who mostly looked different variations of bored or annoyed – only Alana was wobbling on the tips of her feet like a little kid. “We prepared a little Easter egg hunt for everyone. Or maybe it’s more of a scavenger hunt since we thought it would be a bit more exciting for adults. My colleagues are just hanging the first of your clues up in the trees.”

She pointed around her where Will could see several assistant producers hang up big pictures along the branches. The pictures varied greatly, ranging from the ocean or pretty flowers to one of those Rorschach’s tests psychiatrists used – one of those pictures with random black dots where you supposed to interpret something into.

Freddie continued:”Every one of you will chose the picture that fits you most and follow the trail it leads you unto. As you can see there are fewer pictures than contestants; some of you will have to work together on your trails but if you choose the right way there’ll be a prize waiting for you at the end, isn’t that exciting?”

Apparently Freddie had seen how unexcited everyone was because she took her leave rather quickly after that.

Will sighed. “Well, let’s get this over with.” He let his gaze wander over all the pictures before it fell on the one clearly depicting a murder. He sighed again and walked over to it to have a closer look. It showed to women cutting a sleeping man’s throat. It was pretty violent for a picture that was shown on a TV show for families but Will guessed since it was a proper art piece it was allowed.

“It’s called Judith and Holofernes.” Hannibal’s voice said behind Will.

Will jumped in surprise. “One day…” He turned around to Hannibal with a frown. “One day you’ll give someone a heart attack and go to prison for involuntary manslaughter.”

“I don’t think that’s how that works.”

“What are you even doing here?” Will asked. “Shouldn’t you be with Alana and Bedelia at the Rorschach’s test?”

“I am not defined by my work!” Hannibal protested. “I see myself as an artist in all things I do: ranging from cooking, to music to architecture and this…” He pointed at the picture. “This is a wonderful example of true art. It was painted by Artemisia Gentileschi in the first of half of the 17th century in Florence and I regularly visited it in my youth. I still enjoy coming into the Ufficien every once in a while when I’m in the city.”

Will had to admit that that was enough information that he couldn’t really say the picture hadn’t been meant for Hannibal so he decided to come to terms with the fate that he and Hannibal would do this scavenger hunt together. He stepped closer to the picture to look for clues for where they should go next. He didn’t need to look long: On the backside of the picture someone had painted an arrow in a color that presumably was supposed to look like blood. It didn’t.

“Let’s go then.”

Hannibal followed him with an excited smile. “I cannot wait to see how the FBI solves their cases.”

Will gave a short laugh. “I doubt you will be seeing anything very interesting if the clues continue to be so obvious.”

They followed the arrow to the beach where a short, corpulent man lay in the sand with something more resembling ketchup then blood all around him. He was clearly breathing… heavily.

“And what is this supposed to be?” Will asked sardonically.

“I’m dead.” The laying man helpfully provided.

Will buried his head in his hands. “If you hadn’t said it, I wouldn’t have noticed.”

Hannibal leaned in closer to Will. “If you want I can make the scene a bit more realistic.”

“Oh, do you think I should have used more ketchup?” The laying man asked. “I wasn’t quite sure how to do a good-looking crime scene.”

“Yes, ketchup is the thing every good crime scene has.” Will said more to himself then anyone else. “Lots of ketchup and sometimes mayo. Depends on the taste of the murderer I guess.”

Hannibal seemed affronted, maybe being a cooking connoisseur made him dislike ketchup and mayo on any kind of meat no matter if edible or not. “Maybe we should start looking for clues.”

“Oh yes, I hid the clues super well.” The man on the ground said eagerly.

“There’s a knife.” Will pointed to the sand a few inches away from the “body”.

“Oh my god, you’re really good, I hid that so well. Now you know you have to go the kitchen.”

“It is really astonishing how absolutely terrible you’re at this.” Hannibal sounded fascinated. “Really, I would call it even formidable. If someone could bottle up failure and put it into a person it would probably look a bit like you.”

“Eh… thank you?” The man answered.

“I thought the kitchen burned down.” Will tried to hurry this along. “Why would we go there?”

“They mostly built it up again.” The guy said. “And where else would the murderer have the knife from?”

“It’s a pocket knife.” Will answered. “So presumably his pocket.”

“Well the kitchen burned down, I needed to use what I had at hand for as a prob.” The man justified himself.

“Could I write a research paper on you?” Hannibal asked, circling the man. “You’re inability to anything at all right could be a fascinating study. How do you manage to leave the bed in the morning without accidentally killing yourself?”

“It’s a struggle.” The man admitted.

“In a way even that is a failure.” Hannibal considered. “Since if you had killed yourself, Will and I would have at least a more interesting body to examine.”

Will was starting to get a headache. “Hannibal, stop playing with your ketchup-covered food and let’s go to the kitchen.”

“Can I come along?” The man on the ground asked eagerly.

“Can we stop you?” Will asked.

“Nope!”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They arrived at the kitchen a few minutes later. It was mostly reconstructed with a few charred places. As they stepped in there were three people inside, acting as if they were cooking. Badly.

“I think the biggest crime I’ve seen so far is what you have done to those vegetables.” Hannibal looked actually appalled.

The people in the kitchen looked up to them and one of them – dressed in swim shorts and a T-shirt - gasped upon seeing the “corpse”. “Hey, I was supposed to have killed you.”

“No, you just revealed the twist!” The man from the beach gasped. “How could you?”

“How could I? What are you doing, you idiot? Playing a zombie? What the hell Froideveux?“

„Froideveux?“ Will repeated. “Are you related to Franklyn Froideveux?”

“He’s my cousin.”

Hannibal leaned closer to Will again. “Are you absolutely SURE I’m not supposed to make his act as a corpse more believable?”

“If this goes on like this, they’ll find the prize on the floating tire in the pool in a few minutes.” Froideveux complained. “This scavenger hunt was supposed to take an entire day!”

“Why is the prize in the pool?” Will asked.

“Because my murderer is a pool boy, of course!” Froideveux answered as if it was the most natural explanation.

“Did he kill you for the prize?” Will had to be masochistic for even asking.

“Eh… I hadn’t thought so far.” Froideveux admitted.

„I told them that I should have been the one to organize this hunt!” Froideveux would-be murderer shouted. „But no, it needed to be you. I guess I don’t have the right money in the family, eh?”

“Tell me that to my face!”

“Oh with pleasure!”

“Maybe we should go before anyone gets the idea to follow us again?” Hannibal proposed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the middle of the pool swam a giant floating tire with a pink flamingo in front.

“I think you should strip and swim over to it.” Hannibal told Will.

“Do you honestly think there’s anything in there that would make that worth it?”

“We won’t know unless we try.”

Will raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Well then, if WE have to try…” And as fast as he could he slammed forward and pushed into Hannibal. For a second they were weightless in the air and then Will was surrounded by water.

As Will resurfaced in the pool he could see Hannibal’s carefully gelled back hair hang unceremonially in his face. It looked oddly adorable.

Will smiled innocently. “Sorry Hannibal, you seemed me a bit… overheated.”

“Well…” Hannibal pushed his hair out of his eyes. “Maybe I was due a bit of a cooling down. A shame about the suits though.”

Will who couldn’t care less about what he was wearing smirked at Hannibal. “First at the pool tire wins the prize.” And he sprang forward into the water.

Seconds later he was overtaken by Hannibal who proved to be quite a proficient swimmer and reached the flamingo first. He pushed himself up and managed to pull a wooden box from inside the floating tire.

“Seems like I claimed my prize.” Hannibal said, looking at Will’s soaked body. “We should return to the bank to take… a closer look.”

Once they were both on dry land again, Will got rid of his jacket and trousers so he was sitting in his boxers and a see-through white shirt. Then he turned to Hannibal who had the wooden box carelessly draped on his lap while watching Will.

“Well?” Will asked. “What’s in the box?”

Hannibal blinked as if surprised to be reminded of what he’d won and turned his gaze downwards. He opened the box and pulled a small plush dog out.

“Is that all?” Will asked incredulous. “So much effort for this?”

“Well… I don’t think I would call it much effort.” Hannibal said.

“Well at least my dogs have a new toy to play with.” Will said. “But there is no prize in there for you. Are you still so sure the painting clue was for you too?”

“Oh I never believed that.” Hannibal waved the objection away with a hand. “I probably was supposed to go with Alana and Bedelia.”

Will starred at him. “Then why didn’t you?”

Hannibal smirked mischievously. “Because this was way more fun!”

Will looked at the soaked figure in front of him and couldn’t help a small smile. “Well if we’re having fun…”

He pushed the box with the dog plush from Hannibal’s lap and pulled him back into the pool.

Hannibal72384: They cut most of Hannibal’s scenes again! Graham brings him bad luck I think 

Hannigramm: It probably was too steamy for them ;)

Hannibal72384: Would you stop already?

Hannibal72384: OMG I take everything back, are that pictures of Hannibal in a pool that just leaked? Graham you did the world a big service!

Pielover515: Are they swimming in suits?

enbymurderhusbands: Why is Franklyn’s cousin in the challenge? I was so relieved when he finally got stabbed! Now someone needs to murder him!

Chapter Text

It had been a mistake to look at the new crime photos Jack had smuggled in with another dog (Zoe) the evening before. Will realized this fact when he woke up covered in sweat breathing hard. Winston was whining at him sadly and licking his face which probably was what made Will wake up.

“Good dog.” Will told Winston and petted his head.

Winston rubbed his head into Will’s hand and he already felt better. Still he doubted he could fall asleep any time soon so he stood up with a sigh. He changed his T-shirt, put a pair of shorts on and left the room. As he turned around he saw Winston considering following put in the end the desire for sleep won so Winston put his head back on his paws.

As Will walked into the courtyard he saw the light shining in the contestant’s private kitchen.

Hannibal didn’t seem surprised at all as he turned around and saw Will leaning in the door. “Hello Will.”

“Hey.” Will answered in a faint voice. “Do you mind if I sit?”

“Of course not.” Hannibal looked delighted. “I’ll start on another portion.”

“Not sure how much I could eat right now.” Will sat down on the small kitchen table. “Nightmares.”

“Then how about a cup of hot chocolate?” Hannibal immediately abandoned his pan to pull out another pot with ingredients.

“You don’t have to…”

“I insist.” Hannibal gave Will a soft smile. “I know what is like to have regular bad nightmares.”

“What are you having nightmares about? Burned food?” Will tried joking weakly.

“Something like that.” Hannibal avoided the question.

For a while Hannibal worked in silence with Will watching. A few minutes later he put a steaming cup of hot chocolate with a perfect topping of whipped cream and even sprinkles in front of Will. Will took a sip and tasted was pure heaven. Meanwhile Hannibal had prepared his own plate and sat down opposite him.

“Thank you.” Will told Hannibal.

“Any time.” Hannibal answered. “Would you like talking about your nightmare?”

Will shook his head. “It’s about one of my cases; you wouldn’t enjoy listening to it.

“Quite the opposite.” Hannibal leaned forward. “That sounds quite fascinating.”

For a moment Will doubted his honesty but Hannibal actually looked interested. How curious, Alana never liked hearing about his cases.

“Maybe another time once it isn’t so fresh in my mind.” Will gave him a weak smile. “And I actually have been waiting for a chance to talk to you about another topic without the cameras.”

“Oh?” Hannibal raised an eyebrow.

“It’s about Margot.” Will looked down into his cup of dark goodness. “She had a pretty hard life and what happened between the two of us probably didn’t help much.”

“You’re worried I might hurt her further.” Hannibal observed.

“I… I don’t think you would do it intentionally.” Will reassured him. “But so far I’m not sure if she ever had any positive interaction with an alpha.” Will looked up into Hannibal’s eyes showing some of the darkness that lingered in his own. “If you hurt her intentionally or unintentionally I’ll make you regret it.”

“Lucky for us I have quite some experience with traumatized woman like her.” Hannibal answered. “And even luckier I have no interest in having a sexual or romantic relationship with her.”

Will frowned. “You’re not? Then why are you dating her? You can’t tell me you manipulated the last challenge only with me.”

“No, you’re right I chose her.” Hannibal shrugged. “I think she is interesting: strong, fierce, and intelligent. And anyone who captures your attention so well is someone I would like to have a conversation with.” He looked Will in the eyes with an intense gaze. “A conversation nothing more.”

Will blushed. “I don’t know why you put so much meaning in me liking Margot. I’m not that good of a judge of character.”

“I beg to differ.” Hannibal leaned in closer as if to whisper a secret. “I would even call it: your job!”

 “I thought you’d be more interested in her since she’s new.”

“What gave you the thought I’m interested in new things?” Hannibal’s gaze was too intense for Will to hold and he looked down at the table.

“You were interested in me.” He explained quietly.

“I AM interested in you because you are a fascinating person.” Hannibal answered evenly. “And I think your lack of self-esteem is quite troubling; maybe I’ll think of a way to change that. Would it help if I serenaded you from under your balcony like in the old times?”

Will couldn’t help but smile “I don’t have a balcony.”

“Your window then.” Hannibal subsided. “You could through me a handkerchief as a sign of commitment.”

“I only have paper ones.” Will answered. “And I think Alana would have something to say about you serenading me.”

A shadow flit over Hannibal’s face before he smiled again. “Alana would find it funny.”

“Yeah.” Will smiled softly at the thought. “She’d probably give you a lute to fit the aesthetic as well.” He cocked his head at Hannibal. “If you’re still interested in me why aren’t you angry at Alana? Or at me for rejecting you.”

“True love is one you often have to fight for.”

“Please tell me you’re not starting a fist fight with Alana.” Will said. “At least keep it safe with a knitting duel or something.”

Hannibal smiled. “I promise to keep all violence adverse to Alana to a minimum.”

“Thank god because…” Will interrupted himself.

“Will?” Hannibal frowned. “Is everything a…”

“Hush!” Will put his finger on Hannaibal’s lips already turning around to the door with the rest of his body. “Have you heard that?”

“Heard wha…” Then Hannibal heard the quiet whining and smelled the small hairs of fur in the air.

“It’s a dog!” Will jumped up and was out of the door before Hannibal had even fully registered what was going on.

As Hannibal joined Will outside only seconds later Will was already kneeling next to a dog which was leashed to a hook which was fastened to the building. The dog was hiding in the shadow, hunkered down away from then and whining in what seemed like pain. Will was only a few feet away and was talking calmingly to it with his hand slightly extended to give him a whiff of his scent.

“Go get some meat!” Will commanded Hannibal.

“I…”

“Now Hannibal!”

Will giving orders was making Hannibal feel things he hadn’t in years. Once he returned with a few small pieces of meat he felt the flush of his face contrast with the cool evening air.

Will took the meat without a word and threw the dog a small piece which it first sniffed suspiciously before devouring it in one hungry bite.

“Don’t you already have twelve dogs, Will?” Hannibal asked carefully.

“Seven actually.” Will answered lost in thought. “I exaggerated while talking to Freddie to scare people off.”

“Don’t you think you might have enough dogs…” Hannibal trailed off at the glare of pure hatred Will gave him. “I have not said anything at all in even the smallest capacity concerning you and potentially adopting hundreds of more dogs.”

“Good.” Will said with danger still underlying his voice.

“I can buy the neighboring plot to my house to keep all your dogs in.” Hannibal mumbled to himself.

“What?” Will asked distractedly

“Nothing!” Hannibal assured him. “Is everything going well with the dog?”

“I think the poor thing is starting to trust me a bit more.”

Just as Will said that the dog crept forward a few steps until it could snatch the next piece of meat directly from Will’s hand. It backed off again quickly but once it saw that nothing bad was happening it came forward again for more food. This time Will could get a few pets in before the dog stepped out of his reach and soon the dog was lying on Will’s knee with its tongue hanging out of its mouth happily as Will scratched him behind the ears excessively.

“Remarkable.” Hannibal said. “You truly are talented with animals.”

“Who wouldn’t love a sweetheart like you?” Will muttered in a sing-song voice to the dog on his knee. “Look at you beautiful.”

A cloud flew away from the moon which lit up the scene in front of Hannibal and finally made him realize something: “I know that dog!”

“What?” Will looked up at Hannibal with a frown.

“Yes, her name is princess and she belongs to the leading sponsor of the show.”

“Well he doesn’t seem to have any money left for his dog after all his sponsoring!” Will hissed. “The poor thing is half-starved and I think she has a few bruises too.” He carefully ran his hand across the dog’s back who occasionally let out a small whine. “How about I take you back to my room with me and show you how someone so beautiful should actually be treated, mhm?”

The dog let out an enthusiastic bark.

“Stealing a dog was admittedly not the first crime I would have thought we’d commit together.” Hannibal said lost in thought. “But I guess it is kind of fitting.”

Will looked up at Hannibal in bemusement. “You picture the first crimes you do with people?”

“It says a lot about your relationship to a person what kind of illegal activity you do together.” Hannibal answered. “My little sister and I used to steal sweets from the bakery, Alana and I broke into a museum because it was closed when we arrived and Bedelia and I did the worst sin: we paired Sushi and red vine!”

“I didn’t know your had a sister.” Will said quietly.

Hannibal felt his good mood vanish. “She died when I was quiet young.”

Will didn’t answer for a few seconds. “Do you want to pet her?”

“Pardon?”

“Do you want to pet our new dog?” Will asked. “Since we’re going to steal her together, I mean.” He gave Hannibal the sweetest smile the alpha had ever seen on his face.

“I would love to.”

Hannibal didn’t even care about the mud he got on his expensive trousers as he knelt down next to the dog Will’s warmth next to him made more than up for it.

UmbrellaDelicate: Have you seen the headlines over that bigwig’s dog going missing next to the Mating island’s mansion?

DaringD: Lol, have they checked Graham’s room?

LadyNyx6: Can’t wait for the dating time on the show tomorrow. There are so many interesting pairings to see

Hannibal72384: Don’t say it!

Hannigramm: Hannigramm forever!

Hannibal72384: He said it :I

Chapter Text

As Will starred at the giant animal in front of him that could stomp him to death without a second thought he was starting to doubt his decision to go out riding with Alana.

She seemed to be able to read his thought process from his face. “It was your idea; we can always turn around and do something else for our first date.”

“No.” Will shook his head. “No, Margot is going to be here with Hannibal today and I want to see that she’s ok. Do you still have the letter I wrote for her?”

Alana held up the small envelope with a smile. “Yes, I didn’t lose it in the five minutes since you asked last.”

“I’m sorry.” Will rubbed the back of his head nervously. “And I’m sorry that I’m making our first date about my ex. It isn’t that I still have feelings, I’m just…”

“Worried.” Alana put her hand on Will’s shoulder. “I understand, I probably would feel the same in your stead. Your loyalty is one of the reason I lo… appreciate you.”

“Thank you, Alana.” Will leaned forward and gave her a small peck on the cheeks, happy he was finally allowed to do that. “Now you should go and get your own horse ready, I’ll be fine here.”

Alana looked him up and down with raised eyebrows. “If you’re sure. But if you have any problems just give me a shout and I’ll come running.”

Once she had left Will took a deep breath. In contrast to Alana (Alana, Margot, Hannibal…) he had no idea how to ride a horse. It was a pretty expensive hobby for a poor boy from Louisiana. He took a deep breath and stepped forward to pet the side of the ginger horse in front of him which – according to the producers - was friendly to amateur riders. The horse let itself be patted with a small huff from its nostrils.

“He likes you.” A small voice said behind Will.

He turned around to see a hunched over man with disheveled hair and a small beard. He was wringing his hands nervously and avoided Will’s gaze. The gesture immediately endeared him to Will who understood what it meant to be uncomfortable at looking someone in the eyes.

So he turned back to the horse while talking. “He does? That’s good because I have no idea about riding and he’ll probably have to do most of the work to keep me from falling off.”

“Fox’s good at that.” The man stepped next to Will to start petting the horse that apparently was called fox.

As he came so close Will couldn’t help but smell him. “You’re an omega.” He determined. “Why aren’t you one of the contestants?”

“I… I’m too unstable.” He mumbled.

Will gave a short laugh. “That’s something I’m familiar with.”

“Oh.” Will felt the man relax next to him. “Most people aren’t. I’m Peter by the way. I’m watching over the animals which appear in the show.”

“Sounds like a nice job.”

“You aren’t accused of having put your friends into horses around here.”

Will turned to Peter with a bewildered look on his face. “Did that happen often to you somewhere else?”

“Once or twice…”

“TWICE?”

“One of those times it might have been true.” Peter shrugged. “But he survived. And it was never proven.”

Will took a deep breath. “You aren’t good with people, are you?”

Peter hunched over more. “No.”

“You maybe should keep that kind of stuff to yourself when meeting new people.”

“I… I’ll keep that in mind.”

“So… can you give me a few tips to help me not fall from the horse while riding?”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Will was the last one to join Alana, Margot and Hannibal on the small trail leading through the woods that was supposedly perfect for horseback riding. He was a bit unsure on fox’s back but tried to remember what Peter had told him. In front of them Alana and Margot were involved into a deep conversation about something – both leaning forward on thire horses to be able to talk at a normal volume. Hannibal was sitting on a black horse as if he was born on one in between Will and the women.

He smiled at Will as he got closer. “It seems our dates have forsaken us. Maybe we should just start without them, they’re formidable enough as riders that they’ll close in on us before we know it.”

“Considering this is the first time I’m sitting on a horse I doubt we’d manage to get very far.” Will answered.

“You’re doing very well for a beginner.” Hannibal complimented him.

“Fox likes me.” Will patted his horse’s long neck who huffed contently.

“The relationship to your horse can make a lot of difference.”

Will watched the nervous snuffing and slight tension in Hannibal’s mare. “What is your relationship to your horse? Pure terror?”

“Nonsense.” Hannibal smiled. “It’s that of a rather strict teacher. She is just nervous to prove herself!”

“I’m now terrified for your to ever teach me anything.”

“Don’t worry, I’m more than able to adapt my teaching style to fit the subject.” Hannibal cocked his head. “How about I teach you some Italian? Or how about Lithuanian, mylimasis?”

“What does that mean?” Will asked.

Hannibal turned his head to see Alana and Margot turning their horses towards them. “I will tell you another time.”

“Come on you slowpokes!” Alana shouted at them. “Get a move on!”

“We were just politely waiting for the ladies to end their conversation!” Hannibal answered jovially and easily directed his horse towards them.

Will was happy to see that fox was trained to follow the other horses so he just held on for dear life. The camera teams tried to follow them but since they couldn’t use horses to hold their equipment very well and the path was rather narrow, they were falling behind.

At some point Margot slowed her horse down enough to ride along with Will while Alana and Hannibal held some respectful distance and without producers or the camera teams around nobody complained.

“You know you aren’t responsible for what happened.” Margot said quiet enough that any tone men who were desperately trying to keep up with them wouldn’t record it. “You don’t have to keep trying to watch out for me.”

“I’m not looking out for you because I’m feeling guilty.” Will disagreed. “I’m doing it because you’re my friend.”

For a few seconds Margot didn’t say anything then she looked at him with a small smile. “Thirty years. Thirty years I didn’t have anyone I could call even an ally and now three people called me their friend in less than three days. Are you sure that this is supposed to be a dating show?”

Will huffed. “I think most people wouldn’t watch a show where people just find friends.”

“Maybe a show where people go to find enemies.” Margot proposed. “That sounds like something people would see.”

“Oh, we had that in this show but Franklyn got stabbed.”

“Who was he an enemy with?”

“Eh… pretty much anyone who met him?”

Margot chuckled. “Reminds me of my brother.”

Will started chuckling too. “Not sure who would be more insulted by this comparison of the two.”

Alana slowed down her horse until she was on one length with Will and Margot. “Just came down to warn you that the producers are gaining on us. What are the two of you chuckling about?”

“Franklyn, I guess.” Will answered.

“I would hardly call him a laughing matter.” Hannibal grumbled on Will’s other side.

Margot and Will shared a look and started laughing again.

BoneSoupMmm: Naw, Alana and Will were kind of cute together I have to admit. The handholding and small pecks on the cheeks are adorable

Calm2021Tangerine: I don’t know Will and Margot still seemed pretty close, maybe there’ll be some drama?

Hannigramm: The drama will come once Hannibal and Will start kissing.

Hannibal72384: Oh please, Hannibal fits much better with Margot. At least they are from the same kind of world.

Bedelecter: Still holding up hope for him and Bedelia. But I admit she is kind of cute with Antony.

gabba_gabba: Sadly Hannibal kept his shirt on in this episode I want a picture of a shirt-less Hannibal on a horse.

Chapter Text

After they returned to the stables and got their horses clean and provided for it was time for the weekly Group dinner. Will felt far less opposed to it now even though a producer more or less pushed him away from sitting down next to Margot for “cinematic reasons”. Still sitting between Alana and Hannibal with Bedelia and Antony opposite them wasn’t too bad.

Antony gave Hannibal a tense smile. “Hello again, Hannibal.”

Hannibal raised an eyebrow and smiled politely. “Do I know you?”

Antony’s smile fell. “We dated for three weeks.”

“Oh,” Hannibal remained the picture of politeness. “I don’t seem to recall.”

Antony sighed. “We went to your favorite wine yard.”

“Oh yes.” Hannibal’s face lit up. “The wine was lovely. You were… there.”

Will looked from one to the other. “Let me guess: Bitter ex?”

Antony shrugged awkwardly. “Something like that.

Hannibal raised his glass of wine to his lips. “I don’t have much of a taste for bitterness that isn’t closely controlled with other ingredients. Luckily I am far too busy with…” He looked at Will. “…more interesting things to get rid of any bitterness.”

“Hannibal!” Bedelia said in a reprimanding tone.

Hannibal raised his hands as in surrender but shot Antony a rather sour look before he turned back to Will who was suppressing a yawn.

Alana gave him a concerned look. “Didn’t you sleep well, Will?”

Will shrugged and mumbled. “Nightmares.”

“What about?”

“Trying to convince Hannibal from doing something he put into his thick head.” Will tried to lighten up the mood.

Hannibal hid a smile in his wine glass. “Sounds terrifying.”

“Will!”, Alana sounded exasperated. “Don’t tell me your engaging in case work even while being here!” As always she was too observant of Will’s moods than he would like it.

“Ok.” Will said. “I won’t tell you.”

“WILL!”

He sighed. “Listen, I’m trying to keep away from the bad cases too, ok? But it is my job, Alana.”

“Yes.” Alana conceded reluctantly then she added as if in an afterthought. “For now.”

Will decided not to argue for now. Luckily for him Bedelia had turned to Alana. “I was just telling Antony about what happened in our part of the Easter scavenger hunt when someone…” She glared at Hannibal. “… left us even though there were different tasks fitted to each of us.”

Alana turned to join Bedelia in a dramatic retelling and Hannibal leaned in closer to Will to mumble. “I’m regretting that decision less and less. I quite enjoyed our scavenger hunt.”

Will forced a smile but his discussion with Alana had ruined his good mood.

Hannibal put a hand on Will’s under the table. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Will looked at Alana - still busy talking to Bedelia - and at Margot who had gotten involved in a talk with Mathew on Hannibal’s other side and sighed again. “It’s just… Alana has never trusted me to do my job without losing my mind. I guess she might be right about it too but… I do not like being treated like a child.”

“Most people don’t.” Hannibal said. “Even most children don’t appreciate it. Why do you think Alana might be right with her suspicions? Because of the nightmares?”

“Yes. No.” Will tried to rub the beginnings of a headache from his forehead. “They are not nightmares as such. Yesterday I got photos from another crime scene of the…” He turned his voice even more quiet. “…Chesapeake Ripper.”

“Oh.” Hannibal leaned in closer with clear interest. “Isn’t he that notorious serial killer that hasn’t been caught in decades because he only kills in clusters of three?”

“I’m pretty sure he kills more often than that.” Will answered. “Those groups of three they aren’t his usual kills, they are his… art!”

“Fascinating.”

Will blinked and realized what he just said. “Oh god.” He buried his face in his hands. “You must think I’m completely psychopathic that I call the murder of several people art.”

“Nonsense!” Hannibal genuinely didn’t seem concerned but as a psychiatrist he might just be very good at bluffing. “I consider myself quiet knowledgeable about art and this isn’t the first time it has been made with not quite… legal means. You are just recognizing this murderer’s work for what it is; how could I fault you for that?”

Will huffed. “You’d be one of the first people not faulting me for looking at a crime scene and putting myself in the shoes of a murderer. Thinking like them. Agreeing with them to a degree.”

“You agree with the Chesapeake Ripper?”

“He doesn’t kill without reason.” Will answered.

“A reason? Is he only coming after criminals?”

“Hardly something as noble as that, he isn’t Batman.”

“I’d hope not.” Hannibal seemed outraged by the idea.

Will laughed. “Do you think the picture of a fellow… artist in a black cape and silly mask distasteful?”

“I wouldn’t want to stand in any kind of association with someone like that.”

“Maybe he has nemesis’s in the form of people dressing up as cats and penguins who make terrible puns every few minutes.

“I really don’t think…”

“A police man dressed like a penguin comes in like “Allow me to break the ice!”” Will couldn’t help but giggle at the thought of Jack Crawford in a penguin costume.

“Dear god!”

“Maybe the Chesapeake Ripper even does the silly voice.” Will intentionally made his voice sound deep and raspy. “I am vengeance, may all the pigs fall in front of me!”

Hannibal looked beside himself with indignation. “Please stop…!” He interrupted himself and frowned. “Pigs?”

“I told you he had a reason for killing.” Will shrugged. “He doesn’t see his victims as on the same level as him. Like one of us might think of a pig let to the slaughter. Who knows what he’d do if he ever actually got to know someone like me.”

“What do you mean?”

“If normal people are like pigs to him what would a freak like me seem like?”

“You would seem interesting.” Hannibal answered.

Before Will could reply Margot turned away from Mathew and leaned over the table so Hannibal and Will as well as Bedelia and Alana could hear her. “Have you heard what the next challenge will be?”

Alana leaned in closer. “You mean you found out?”

Margot smirked. “I have my… connections. Well calling it a challenge might be a bit misleading, apparently Freddie managed to rent a ballroom for cheap and we’re all going dancing the day after tomorrow.”

Hannibal smiled. “How delightful.”

“Sounds lovely.” Bedelia agreed.

“Can’t wait for it.” Alana smiled at Will probably already imagining them dancing together.

Will imagined the same thing - just that he was concerned about how often he could stamp on Alana’s feet without accidentally breaking them. Maybe he should google it beforehand. Or ask Hannibal as a medical doctor.

AttaGirlChiyoh: Lol, Hannibal leaving Alana and Bedelia really left them in a bad space at easter, didn’t it. I’d loved to see Hannibal do an improv-surgery on that voodoo doll as he was supposed to do.

WillibalGrater: Can someone make out what Hannibal and Will were talking about?

Islandlover: Considering it’s Graham probably murder.

Mysterious_L: Dear god, would you stop your constant hating, you’re super annoying

Islandlover: One day you’ll see news about Graham murdering someone and you’ll remember my words.

Hannigramm: It will be for true love’s sake.

Hannibal72384: Let me guess: Will would kill for Hannibal?

Hannigramm: Naturally

Hannibal72384: Why did I even ask?

Chapter Text

The following night Will could barely sleep. His head was filled with worries so he could only roll from one side of the bed to the other instead of getting any rest. At some point he sighed and gave up. He stood up from his bed carefully to not wake any of his dogs, grabbed the crime photos on the table and left the room.

Hannibal didn’t even turn his head from the cutting board in front of him as Will entered the kitchen. “Hello Will.”

“Hello Hannibal.” Will mumbled and scratched at the back of his head nervously. “I… I just… you seemed interested in my job yesterday evening and…” He sighed and hid the photos behind his back. “You know what it doesn’t matter. It was a stupid idea anyway.”

He turned around but before he could take even a step Hannibal suddenly appeared behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. “Whatever it is I would love to hear anything you’d like to talk to me about.”

“Oh.” Will felt himself blush. “I… I brought a few of the crime photos Jack send me from the Chesapeake Ripper’s last murder. I mean if you’re interested…”

Hannibal looked delighted. “You mean I could take a look?”

Will shrugged. “I’m aware that it is kind of creepy to come to you with crime photos at midnight…”

“That is one of the loveliest presents someone ever brought me.” Hannibal smiled.

“Dear god how bad are your friends at giving presents?” Will chuckled nervously.

“Bedelia has forced me into an ugly sweater competition after I accidentally spilled wine on her lovely Christmas dress and since then I never got another present than truly horrid sweaters from her. Alana was my student until recently and therefore it would have been a conflict of interest to gift each other something and I fear I didn’t have many other friends until now.”

“Really?” Will asked surprised. “But you’re so…” Irresistible, he thought. “Friendly.”

“And that is coming from the person who seemed pretty determined to avoid my friendship only a few weeks ago.“ Hannibal said in a teasing voice.

“You barely left me a choice but to be your friend.” Will smiled. “I can’t imagine that there is something you couldn’t have if you put your mind to it. The leaders of the world should be thankful that you haven’t tried for world domination.”

“Well that just sounds exhausting.” Hannibal answered. “Put your photos on the table, I’ll just finish dinner.”

“Are you sure?” Will asked. “The case might ruin your appetite.”

“I was a surgeon.” Hannibal said. “I ate while discussing far more off-putting topics.“

“Fair.” Will settled down.

Once Hannibal had put the delicious smelling food down he pulled the photos towards himself.

“I see what you mean with calling the Ripper’s murder art.” Hannibal noted. “He clearly puts a lot of work and meaning in his work.”

“Right.” Will nodded in between bites from his plate. “Jack just won’t get it. All he cares about is catching the Ripper. As if I can just snap my fingers and make it happen.”

“Ridiculous.” Hannibal agreed putting the photos down and grabbing his own fork. “You’d at least need a hat to conjure the Ripper out of nothing.”

“The ripper isn’t a rabbit.” Will disagreed. “Rabbits don’t steal organs.”

Hannibal looked at him amused over a fork full of meat. “That is the greatest difference you see in between a rabbit and the ripper?” Then he frowned. “You said the ripper steals organs? Do you know what he does with them?”

Will sighed. “I don’t know. Sell them, make more art with them, eat them, decorate his house with them, sacrifice them to the organ god… it could be a lot of things and I haven’t seen enough of the ripper to be sure. But the organs were removed with surgical precision.”

“A medical doctor then?” Hannibal concluded.

“Probably. Surgeons are statistically more likely to be psychopaths anyway.” Will eyes widened as he remembered who he was talking to. “Not that I’m saying that you are…”

“I understand. In the end Police men are quite high on the list of probable psychopaths as well, aren’t they?”

Will huffed. “And here we are… room full of psychopaths.”

“Is the Ripper the reason you visited me today?” Hannibal asked. “Are the thoughts of him keeping you up at night?”

“Yes?” Even to Will it sounded more like a question then anything else. He sighed. “No. It’s just...” He took a deep breath. “Ican’tdance.” He spoke so fast it was hard to make out singular words.

“Excuse me?”

“I... it’s been years since I had my last lessons in dancing and I’ll probably stomp all over Alana’s feet tomorrow and she will need to go to the hospital where Franklin is and then she’ll probably have to flee the country just to get away from him annoying her and I’ll never see her again and it will all be my fault.”

Hannibal watched with growing amusement as Will’s explanation grew more and more absurd. “Will take a deep breath!” His friend did so. “I doubt anything quite so dramatic will happen but if you’re really so worried I can give you some tips.”

“You really would? But…” Will looked at the tip of Hannibal’s very fancy looking leather shoe that protruded under the table. “…I don’t want to ruin your shoes.”

“I have more.” Hannibal pushed his now empty plate away and stood up. “Up you get it. Weren’t you the one who accused me of looking like I can dance a perfect Wiener Waltz?”

Will looked at the offered hand for a second before he carefully took it and let himself be drawn close enough to Hannibal he could feel his chest rise up and down. Funnily hearing the regular breathing only made Will’s heart race even harder and he could feel his cheeks heat up. Hannibal put Will’s left hand on his shoulder and took his right hand in his left.

“This would be better with music.” Hannibal explained. “But well will make do. First put your left food back. Now the right follows diagonally. Very good.” Will felt warmth filling him at Hannibal’s appreciating look. “See you aren’t so bad.”

“It’s only because I have such a great partner.” Will answered. Looking Hannibal in the eye seemed even more impossible now than ever before so he fixed his gaze over his left shoulder.

“You are too kind.” Hannibal continued guiding them through the kitchen in circles. “But I assure you Alana isn’t too bad of a dance partner either.”

“Yes, I’m sure she is.” Thinking of Alana right now seemed wrong to Will so he changed the topic. “So what are you supposed to talk about while dancing?”

Hannibal swung him around while speeding up the tempo. “Whatever you want to.”

Something was fluttering in Will’s stomach but he wasn’t sure if it was because of the speed of their spinning or something else. “All I can think about is murder.”

“I wouldn’t mind talking about that.”

“Alana would.”

“Seems to me like she needs to learn how to accept you and your thoughts.”

“She only wants to protect me from myself.”

“All it seems to result in is you hiding your true self, Will.” Hannibal seemed to lean in even closer, his mouth only millimeters from Will’s ear as he whispered. “I would never make you hide yourself away.”

Will swallowed hard. “Alana is good for me.”

Hannibal leaned back again with disappointment written in his face. “If you say so.”

“But…” Will continued. “… I’m not opposed to you teaching me a bit more about dancing while discussing why the Ripper is either a bunny or batman.”

“THE RIPPER ISN’T BATMAN!”

Will couldn’t stop himself from giggling. “You’re so cute when you’re indignant.”

Hannibal huffed but Will saw the corner’s of his mouth lifting. Will’s eyes wandered up to Hannibal’s eyes and his breath stopped for a second. Then he forced himself to look away

Helljoy: Tomorrow it’s dancing time: I’m sure they’ll all look wonderful in their ball gowns.

Hannibal72384: Hannibal will cut a wonderful figure

Hannigramm: …with Will

Hannibal72384: Yeah, yeah whatever Hannigramm.

El_Escritor_Celoso_97: The day afterwards is the monthly audience special so remember to do the polls on the website and write the comments you want to be read in the comment section of the website. I hope they choose to read one of my comments this time.

SSA_SarahSunshine: Oh, it’s already time again? Can’t wait.

enbymurderhusbands: Maybe we can get Chilton to cry again

Chapter Text

“Are you OK Will?” Alana asked as Will shifted his weight from one to the other foot for the hundreds time.

“Sure.” He answered. “Just not… my type of thing.” He looked around in the giant ball room they were standing in with the other contestants. His gaze first fell on Bedelia and Antony who both didn’t seem very impressed by their surroundings and then on Hannibal and Margot who looked like they belonged in the palace-like room.

Alana nodded. “I know what you mean. I’ll tell you a secret.” She leaned in closer to Will. “I mostly just nod and smile when I talk to those fancy colleagues Hannibal keeps introducing me to. That way they won’t notice that I have no idea what the salad fork is or how to correctly turn my nose up on all those plebs.”

“Would be hard to turn your nose up on yourself, wouldn’t it?” Will agreed. “Might dislocate something.”

Alana giggled but before she could answer Freddie appeared on the giant marble stair case of the room accompanied by a plumb man with short blond hair and dressed in a suit that probably cost more than Will made in a month.

“My dear contestants.” Freddie greeted them. “I welcome you to the biggest and oldest mansion on the island. Mr. Carver was friendly enough to provide us with complete access to his premises for a… minimal price.” She gave the man a sugar-sweet smile that reminded Will of a shark. He noticed that Mr. Carver seemed to be sweating quite a lot in his fancy suit.

Bedelia leaned closer to the group surrounding Will. “I guarantee you that she blackmailed him with something.”

There was a sparkle in Alana’s eyes. “Want to bet with what? I say she has photos of him cheating on his wife.”

“I’ll do you one better he cheated with Freddie.” Margot said.

“Maybe he killed someone to make his leather shoes out of his victim’s skin.” Hannibal suggested.

“That’s oddly specific.” Alana shuddered. “And hopefully that’s not true; it would ruin my night if Will was busy trying to solve a murder.”

Will opened his mouth. “Well…”

“Ah ah!” Bedelia raised a hand. “Don’t ruin the fun of the rest of us by using your super empathy powers.”

“My empathy isn’t magic!” Will disagreed without telling them that Mr. Carver was committing tax evasion.

They had mostly ignored what Freddie had been rambling about which meant it came as a surprise as the music suddenly started and the couples were walking hand-in-hand onto the dance floor.

“Well…” Alana extended her hand. “Shall we?”

Will swallowed hard and put his hand in hers. They walked past several couples who had already started dancing until they found a free place where Alana put her hand on Will’s waist. Will tried to remember what Hannibal had taught him the night before and they slowly started to dance.

“Well.” Will bit his lip nervously. “Astonishingly, this isn’t going too bad.”

Alana smiled. “You’re doing great.”

“Thanks.” Will tried to think of a topic they could talk about. Not murder, Alana wouldn’t appreciate talking about murder.

Seems to me like she needs to learn how to accept you and your thoughts, Hannibal’s voice resounded in Will’s head.

Then he saw Alana’s head turn while Margot and Hannibal danced past them with perfect posture and a well-practiced spin. Will saw her eyes dilate, mouth slightly open and a blush appearing on her cheeks.

“Margot looks very good in her dress, doesn’t she?” Will said before he even realized what he was saying.

“Eh, what?” Alana turned her head abruptly back to Will and her cheeks turned even more crimson than before. “Oh… yeah I guess she looks good.”

Will had to agree, Margot did look good in her shoulder-free, black dress but in contrast to the radiance of Hannibal she seemed barely worth a second glance. Hannibal’s suit seemed even more form-fitting than usual and the way he moved… the butterflies of yesterday had returned in Will’s stomach.

As he realized that now both he and Alana were starring at the same couple he sighed and turned back to Alana. “Alana, you know that I love you, don’t you?”

Alana blinked in surprise; neither of them had said the L-world until now. “Of course, I…”

Will interrupted her. “You were the first and only real family I ever had and I am so happy I have you as my big sister that is looking out for me and trying to keep me safe even from myself. But we aren’t a very good couple are we?”

There were tears in Alana’s eyes. “I… I guess we’re not. But we haven’t tried for very long and you are very important to me Will. I think I can learn to love you romantically.”

“Thank you.” Will felt water collect in his own eyes. “But I think it will better when you’re dating someone you actually have romantic feelings for.” He nodded to Margot. “Don’t worry, Margot and I never had sentiments outside of a feeling of kinship. I won’t feel jealous.”

Alana let go of Will’s hand to pull him into a big hug. “I love you.” She whispered in his ear. “And no matter who I’ll start dating no one will ever replace you as my family.”

Will smiled wetly and patted her back. “Go get her tiger.”

As Alana turned to Margot and Hannibal Will pushed himself through the crowd towards the exit. He managed to get past the cameras and producers without getting stopped or followed and once he was standing in the giant garden with its hedges twice as high as himself he finally could breathe again. He probably should feel sad but it rather felt as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Finally he didn’t need to worry about disappointing his closet confident anymore.

Then he felt another presence behind him. He didn’t even need to turn around to check who it was. “Hello Hannibal.”

“Hello Will.” Hannibal was standing inches behind him. “Are you alright?”

“Fine.” Will turned around, his face now very close to Hannibal’s. “I just broke up with Alana.”

“Oh.” Hannibal’s face was full of compassion. “I’m sorry.”

Will saw through the façade. “No, you’re not.”

At once the compassionate frown was replaced by a smile. “No, I’m not. But I do not wish any pain on you. If there is something I can do …”

“No… no, it’s really ok.” Will shook his head. “I guess a part of me had always known that it wouldn’t work out with us.” He forced himself to smile. “I fear my dance partner leaving me means you have lost yours as well. Alana is quite keen on getting to know Margot better.”

As expected Hannibal didn’t seem to care much about those news. “I think they’ll make a lovely couple.”

Will nodded. “Me too.”

“Still, it seems unfair to me that the two of us miss out on a nice occasion to dance.” Hannibal extended his hand to Will just as Alana had done only minutes early. “Would you care to dance?”

Will looked back to the door he had come from and shook his head. “I don’t think I can go back in right now.”

Hannibal smiled and took Will’s hand in his. “Who said anything about going back in? If you’re quiet enough you can still hear the music from here.”

Will bit his lip. “What if someone sees us?”

Hannibal pulled him towards him and whispered. “Let them see.”

Will looked at the mansion and back to Hannibal and then he smiled. He put his left hand on Hannibal’s shoulder. “Let them see.” He agreed.

Dancing with Hannibal in the sunshine and to the sound of waltz music was even better than dancing in the moonshine of a small kitchen. Whoever would finally manage to become Hannibal’s long-term partner would be the luckiest person on earth.

Pielover515: Oooooooh, Alana telling her feelings to Margot was so romantic. And Margot looked like she could barely believe her luck.

DaringD: They make a really cute couple but I hope Will isn’t too broken up about it.

LadyNyx6: Doesn’t look like he is, OMG did you see the short video of him dancing with Hannibal in the garden?

Hannigramm: I told you he fits better with Hannibal!

sootghoul: They actually look very happy together. And they seem to have become quite good friends since Will came to the island.

Hannibal72384: Fine, I admit Will and Hannibal did make a good-looking dance couple.

Hannigramm: :)

Hannibal72384: Oh shut it.

Chapter Text

“Ladies and Gentlemen it’s finally time again for our favorite part of the show…” Freddie Lounds was sitting in a big comfy chair in front of a big monitor. “The Audience special!” The same words appeared in big letters on the monitor. “I thank all of you for tuning in again and participating so plentiful on our website. And of course I give a very special thank you to our contestants!”

Will sighed as the line of contestants he was standing in started to move towards the stage. The only consolation he had was that Hannibal was before him in the line and he could stare at his quite well-formed back and… behind. Before they entered the stage Hannibal turned his head far enough to give Will a knowing smile and Will felt himself blush but then they were on the stage and the applause of the audience hit him.

In front of Freddie were several comfortable chairs arrayed in two half circles. The audience was sitting behind the contestants so they both could see what the monitor displayed. As Will sat down in his chair the writing on the screen vanished now showing the Mating island’s website instead.

Freddie looked down on a tablet in her hands and scrolled down with a well-manicured finger. The picture on the monitor scrolled down too until it showed the heading “Polls!”

“Ok, time to take a look at what our dear audience has decided to vote on this month.” Freddie started. “Let’s see: This month sexiest contestant is – of course – Dr. Lecter.”

Under the loud applause of the audience Hannibal stood up with a wide smile and gave a small bow. “I feel very grateful to be bestowed this big honor by you.” He sat down again.

Freddie scrolled further with a smile. “And another classic: This month favorite shipping is… oh my, they started a bit late in the month but came in strong: Bedelia and Antony.” Both of them stood up, put their hands together and raised them up as one.

“Second in place is… Bedelia and Hannibal…” Freddie looked up with a playfully sad frown. “I fear that ship has sailed, hasn’t it Antony?”

Antony nodded with a big smile and turned to Hannibal who smiled back like a good sportsman.

“And in third place is…” Freddie frowned. “What the hell is Hannigram?”

Will felt his face turn bright red and he refused to stand up. Hannibal threw him a glance and as Will remained sitting Hannibal didn’t rise either.

Freddie plastered her fake smile back on her face as she quickly scrolled further. “Oh and here is a new poll: ‘Who wore it better?’” Under the question a picture showed Hannibal and Franklyn next to each other wearing the same suit. It seemed like Franklyn’s obsession had gone a bit further than Will had realized – even wearing the same clothes as Hannibal. Maybe Franklyn had even stole the suit from Hannibal’s wardrobe? The poll showed a vote of 100 % next to Hannibal’s name. “Well that’s unambiguous! Popular as always are you Hannibal?”

Hannibal bowed his head with a small smile.

“And what’s coming up here? `Where did that producer’s dog go?`” Freddie blinked. “A bit of a surprise question but I do admit it is one of the first crimes we had on this island, ignoring the… accident with a knife; maybe I shouldn’t be so caught off guard. So the most popular answer is: Will Graham. It seems like one of our two new contestants managed to win a pole. Do stand up Will.”

Will would have rather jumped off a bridge but as the audience started whistling he decided to get it over with. He stood up, forced a small smile on his face and sat down almost immediately.

“Lovely, lovely,” Freddie continued. “And the next question is: `How should they make Chilton cry next time!” She raised an eyebrow but there was genuine amusement in her gaze. Clearly she didn’t hold her colleague in very high regard.

Will saw the camera panning to Chilton who was sitting backstage. The man gave the audience a terse smile. “Maybe let’s continue with another question?”

Freddie smiled back. “If you say so.” But she scrolled purposely slowly so Will could still read the top answer: `Make him a court jester in the next challenge!`

"Continuing with: `What murder case has this far been the most interesting/best? Classics like Black Dahlia for me but how about you guys?`" Freddie looked up with a frown. “Guys, this is a family show.”

“I’m not quite sure if I have a favorite.” Will mumbled trying to stop thinking of the Chesapeake Ripper. “But I’m still disappointed I never could consult in the `Severed Feet Mystery` in British Columbia.”

“FAMILY SHOW!” Freddie shouted.

“I was always quite fascinated at how famous the murders of the so-called `Jack the Ripper` became even though no one ever caught even a glance at him.” Hannibal commented.

“Right, let’s carry on: `Should Will be allowed more dogs?`…” Freddie read out loud. “Wait what?”

Will heard Hannibal chuckle next to him. “Seems like there are a lot of dog fans in the audience.”

“A HUNDRED Dogs?” Freddie read the top answer from her tablet.

Hannibal leaned towards Will: “I doubt that would satisfy you.”

Freddie accidentally tipped on the poll revealing the comments connected to it. Topping the list was: `Why does the poll cut off at a hundred? He deserves more!`

Freddie quickly closed the window showing the comments and scrolled down further:”Best Batman actor? For god’s… why?”

Will couldn’t help but chuckle, especially as `Hannibal Lecter` was displayed as top answer followed by `The Chesapeake Ripper`.

“Seems like Hannibal gets top choice even at polls he didn’t even do anything for!” Bedelia commented from the row behind him. The audience chuckled.

“I think it’s time for reading some comments I think.” Freddie quickly maneuvered the site towards the comment section. “Ah much better: `Hannibal I want a child from you!` Back to the classics!”

Will saw the smile freeze on Hannibal’s face.

Freddie continued reading: “`I would love to see Chilton cry ❤`, ` Yes, make Chilton cry!` Seems like the topic is popular.” Chilton gritted his teeth behind the camera. “`I wished I was as pretty as Margot!`, ` I hope Will knows that he has quite the fan base! We love you, Will! And hope YOU find love too!!` Owww, how sweet!”

Will felt himself blush again but gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. At least it was a supportive comment.

“`Can they just kiss already?`” Freddie read and frowned. “What`s this about? There is a comment by Hannigramm it seems to refer to: `Take a look at this video!` Wow, a lot of comments refer to this one, how about we take a look?”

She opened the link which lead to a YouTube video titled: `Why Hannigramm is real!`

Will had a bad feeling about this.

His feeling was confirmed as the video started and a text block read: “We all saw them flirt on the show:”

Followed by a short clip of Will and Hannibal standing on the shooting range of the mansion.

“Will, what a coincidence to see you here.” Hannibal’s voice came from the speakers.

“It seems to be our fate to run into each other at every opportunity.” Will’s voice answered.

“You… you…” Franklyn stuttered from the monitor. “You know each other?”

“We met.”

Then the text reappeared: “Did you ever wonder when they met before?”

“Oh no!” Will whispered and stared at the monitor in horror.

The video showed a grainy picture of the contestants kitchen where Hannibal cooked his midnight meals. Hannibal himself was standing at the stove and turned his head as a shadow fell over him. “Oh, pardon I didn´t see you there. I hope I didn´t wake you, Mr…. Graham wasn´t it?”

“Call me Will. And you didn´t wake me. What are you doing here?”

“I´m cooking: I´m very particular about what I put in my body so I prefer making my own meals in contrast to what they serve around here.”

“The food around here didn´t taste too bad to me - at least not in contrast to the FBI cantina.” A pause then Will heard his own voice continue. “What are you doing?”

“Getting more ingredients for a second portion.” Hannibal’s on-screen answered. “I refuse to let your statement stand; clearly your usual meal plan is a travesty!”

The audience started laughing. Will turned to the Hannibal sitting next to him, shaking his head in disbelief: “There are no cameras in the contestant’s kitchen! It’s illegal to film us without our knowledge or consent!”

Hannibal looked back with just as much confusion in his gaze but there was something else taking forefront.

“Hello Will.” Hannibal’s voice came from the screen.

“Hey, do you mind if I sit?”

“Of course not. I’ll start on another portion.”

“Stop looking so goddamned smug!” Real Will hissed at Hannibal.

His friend clearly tried to keep his feelings contained. “Of course, Will!”

Will looked around wildly: First he saw the other contestants, Freddie and the audience starring at the monitor with open mouths.

“It’s about one of my cases; you wouldn’t enjoy listening to it.” Will heard himself say.

“Quite the opposite that sounds quite fascinating.”

Then Will’s eyes fell on Chilton’s grimace which was a mixture of guilt and confusion. He had found the explanation for the illegal cameras but clearly the psychiatrist hadn’t intended to publish his findings. So who did?

“Do you want to pet our new dog?” Will on screen asked. “Since we’re going to steal her together, I mean.”

“I would love to.”

Will’s eyes returned to the screen which by now showed them in the kitchen once again.

“I… I brought a few of the crime photos Jack send me from the Chesapeake Ripper’s last murder. I mean if you’re interested…”

“That is one of the loveliest presents someone ever brought me.”

Then it cut to him and Hannibal slowly dancing through the moonlight-lit kitchen:

“See you aren’t so bad.” Hannibal commented on-screen.

“It’s only because I have such a great partner.” Video-Will answered.

Will couldn’t look anymore and turned back to the real Hannibal: “I told you to stop looking so goddamned smug!”

“I apologize.” Hannibal answered looking very smug. “I assure you I made a valiant effort.”

“Still, it seems unfair to me that the two of us miss out on a nice occasion to dance. Would you care to dance?”

“I don’t think I can go back in right now.” Will sounded as haunted in the video as he felt right now.

“Who said anything about going back in? If you’re quiet enough you can still hear the music from here.”

“What if someone sees us?”

“Let them see.”

“Let them see.”

It was like a car crash Will just couldn’t quite look away as the screen flashed the message: “Not speaking of how Hannibal likes to tease Will!”

“I understand your feelings.” Will was standing next to Matthew and jumped at Hannibal suddenly speaking up behind him.

“Jesus Christ. Somebody needs to put a bell on you.”

“The air is much fresher out here, isn´t it?” The video jumped to Will standing at the beach with Winston next to him and Hannibal standing right behind him.

Video-Will jumped. “I swear to god, I will break into your closet and put a bloody bell on every piece of clothing you own!”

“I didn´t know you were so desperate to see my undergarments.”

Then suddenly you saw both Will and Hannibal standing blindfolded and with heart monitors in a room.

“Hello Will.”

“Your heart stopped temporarily: Could this be love?” The heart monitor commented.

Screen-Will frowned at Hannibal. “I’m not putting a bell on you, I’m chaining a fucking Nokia mobile phone to your arm that I rewire so that it only plays the most annoying alarm clock sound constantly.”

The last video of the series showed them in the garden again where they had danced. You could see Hannibal step up behind Will again but Will was faster this time: “Hello Hannibal.”

“Hello Will.”

The screen showed another message: „And OMG the FISH PUNS!“

Suddenly it flashed through a series of several short clips:

“I assure you, I’m not… fishing for compliments.” That was Hannibal.

“I would make you walk the plankton for your puns if I could.” Will.

“They are watching us, better look e-fish-ent.” Hannibal.

“We’re probably not so-fish-ticated enough for them.” Will.

“I think you’re quite ex-squid-sit, Will.”

The clips where interrupted by another message: “Will even tricked Hannibal into getting all wet with him!”

That was as far as Will could take it. He sprang up and ran out of the room as fast as he could. He heard voices shout after him but ignored them; he just wanted to get away. Finally he stopped as he had left the claustrophobic rooms behind him and stood under the blue sky again. Breathing became harder and harder as he finally fully realized what he had just seen – what EVERYONE had seen. What would they say at seeing his pathetic self get so close to the audience favorite – to one of the best man Will had ever met? How could he have been foolish enough to think he could have – whatever he had with Hannibal? How pathetic…

“Will!” Hannibal’s voice sounded far away. “Will, you have to breathe!” Will really would have liked to do his friend the favor but his lungs seemed to tight to draw in more than a light wheeze. Suddenly he felt arms around him a steady heartbeat next to his ear. “You can do it. In… one, two, three… out… four, five, six.” The counting continued until Will felt like he could breathe again.

For a few seconds Will gave himself the time to enjoy the feeling of Hannibal’s arms around him then he forced himself out of the embrace. He couldn’t even look in Hannibal’s face, eyes locked to the ground. “I’m sorry.”

“Whatever for?” Hannibal didn’t sound angry.

“They saw it.” Will felt himself choke on emotion. “They saw us.”

“And why should you be sorry about that?” Hannibal sounded amused.

“Because they saw us!” Will needed to make clear what a catastrophe this was so he looked up into Hannibal’s beautiful eyes. “They saw me flirting with you!”

Hannibal’s gaze was soft as he smiled back. “They did. Finally I could show the entire world how much I adore you!”

“No!” Will shook his head. “No, you don’t understand: I don’t deserve you, I never deserved you!”

“No you don’t understand.” Hannibal put his hands on both sides of Will’s face and tilted it upwards towards his own. “I don’t care about what your nonsensical self-esteem issues tell you. Will Graham, I love you and I will never stop pursuing you until the day you die!”

And even with all the doubts running wild in Will’s head he couldn’t help himself from taking what he really wanted. He leaned forward and kissed Hannibal.

BoneSoupMmm: AAAAAAHHHHHH

Calm2021Tangerine: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!

gabba_gabba: OMG, OMG, OMG, no fucking way!

Hannigramm: I told you so, didn’t I?

WillibalGrater: I can’t believe it’s actually real. OMG, you go Will!

AttaGirlChiyoh: They are so cute together!

Mysterious_L: How did no one ever notice this before?

Hannigramm: I noticed, you just wouldn’t believe me!

Hannibal72384: Because you’re just a weirdo on the internet. How…?

Helljoy: I mean I knew they were cute in the show but I didn’t expect… that!

SSA_SarahSunshine: I hope they finally start dating now.

enbymurderhusbands: I hereby formally coin the term „Murder Husbands” for this shipping. It’s adorable how happy they are at talking about Will’s job.

Islandlover: Oh please you only want that name because it’s your user name

sootghoul: Oh go to hell Islandlover!

Pielover515: Yeah I love the name. We should make it a thing!

DaringD: Murder Husbands forever!

Hannigramm: Admit it, Hannibal72384! Admit I was right!

Hannibal72384: Fine you were right, goddamnit. Although I would love to know you pulled this off.

LadyNyx6: Nawww, and now kiss you two!

UmbrellaDelicate: Cute couples even in here in the comment section.

El_Escritor_Celoso_97: Can’t wait to see what happens next.

Chapter Text

“How could you not tell me?” Beverly asked exasperated.

“There was nothing to tell.” Will sighed as she rushed around him, putting the last bits of make-up on.

“You were dating Hannibal fucking Lecter!” Beverly squealed.

“I wasn’t,” Will disagreed. “We were just friends.”

Beverly stopped powdering Will’s nose and looked him up and down critically. “That looked different in that video.”

“That video did its best to contort what really happened.”

She hit Will on the nose with her make-up brush. “You can’t distort what didn’t happen and clearly several things DID happen.”

There was a knock on the door and Jimmy’s voice came through the wood. “Finished Beverly? We need to move soon if we want to have a few hours of proper sunlight when we arrive.”

Will frowned. “Arrive? Where…?”

“No time!” Beverly answered pushing him out the door. “You need to get going. Don’t make any babies before telling me.”

“I don’t…” But before he finished the door closed behind him.

Outside the door Hannibal was already waiting for him with both their camera teams in tow. He looked as handsome as ever and as Will stepped through the door his eyes lit up. “Hello boyfriend.” He leaned over to give Will a peck on the lips.

Will felt the blood rush to his cheeks but still answered dutifully. “Hey there boyfriend.”

Hannibal took hold of his hand. “I managed to convince Freddie of giving us the chance of a private date outside of the island.”

Will blinked at him in surprise. “Wow, Matthew was right, you DO have a lot of influence.”

Hannibal smiled and leaned closer. “Oh, all your newfound fans probably didn’t hurt too much in convincing Freddie either.”

“Fa…fans?” Will stuttered as Hannibal pulled him towards a limousine.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After driving to a ship, crossing the part of the sea separating the island from the main land and getting into another limousine Hannibal had pulled out a blindfold. Will rolled his eyes but Hannibal managed to convince him with several kisses to both eyes, cheeks and lips to let him pull the cloth over Will’s eyes.

Now Will was stumbling forwards on Hannibal’s guiding arm. “Hannibal this is ridiculous.”

“We’re nearly there.” Hannibal scolded as Will tried to pull the blindfold off. “Don’t ruin my surprise.” He leaned in close enough to whisper in Will’s ear: “It’s our first date after all.”

Will blushed again; it felt like he’d do that a lot in the coming future. “That’s cheating.”

“Everything is fair in love and war.” Hannibal answered light-heartedly. “No need to keep complaining, we’re here.”

They stopped walking. Will heard some loud noises coming from close by, it sounded like… barking. He ripped the blindfold of and found himself in front of… “An animal shelter?” He turned to his smiling boyfriend.

“Surprise.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Will was in heaven. He was lying in a cuddle pile mostly made up out of puppies with some of the older dogs coming by to snuggle in.

Hannibal was standing a few feet away looking down on him with a smile but more than content just watching. “Having fun?”

“This is paradise on earth.” Will sighed and giggled as a rough tongue rubbed over his throat. “Who needs a therapist if you have a dog cuddle pie?”

“Hey,” Hannibal complained half-heartedly. “you can’t reveal this secret in front of the cameras, I will be out of my job.”

Will rolled his eyes. “You’re more than rich enough already.”

“Are you done soon?” Chilton had appeared in the door to the outside area the dogs played in. His nose and eyes were quite reddened as he stepped into the open air.

Will’s mood immediately dropped. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m… I’m…” Chilton sneezed. “I’m your supervision. Fre…” Another sneeze. “Freddie sent me because she was busy with other things.”

“Are you quite alright, Frederick?” Hannibal asked in an exaggerated concerned tone.

“Fi…” Sneeze. “Fine. It’s just allergies.”

Will raised an eyebrow. “You are allergic to animal hair and Freddie sent you here as supervision? Trouble in paradise?”

Chilton scowled at him but didn’t answer.

Will slowly started to sit up. “You know what, Frederick? I have been wondering a lot about that video we saw yesterday. It is… curious how such video clips can exist considering there weren’t supposed to be cameras in places the contestants weren’t informed about: like in our kitchen.”

Chilton did his best to not let on about his nervousness but Will saw him avoid eye contact and swallow hard.

“You know, I have a theory about that.” Will slowly stood up. “I think it was you. You put secret cameras up to have some blackmail material for the contestants.”

“I have…” Sneeze. “…no idea what you are talking about.”

Will pent down to pick up a puppy from the ground that immediately started to sniff his hands curiously. He walked two steps forwards and raised his arms up to hold the dog in front of him like a gun. “Talk or I’m making you sniff the dog.”

“What?” Chilton stared at Will for a moment before he realized Will meant what he said. He turned to flee out of the door he came through but at some point Hannibal had snatched up a white cat from the ground and he was now leaning in the door frame, stroking the white cat in his arms like a villain in a James bond movie.

Chilton stopped in his tracks and Will used his opportunity to hold the dog into the psychiatrist’s face. “Talk!”

The puppy yuffed happily and licked Chilton’s nose.

“Get it off!” Chilton leaned to the side and started sneezing uncontrollably.

“Admit what you did or I put you in a dog cuddle pile!” Will threatened.

“FINE!” Chilton shouted. “I put up the cameras to get blackmail material. Most people on the island become famous and successful because their popularity gives them opportunities for advertisement deals etc. It paid off over the years.”

“How did the videos end up on the internet?” Will asked.

“I don’t know.”

Will held up the puppy cheatingly and Chilton raised his hands in surrender. “I honestly don’t know. Someone has broken either into the facility or through the fire wall I don’t know, I swear.”

Looking Chilton up and down Will decided he was saying the truth. “Alright I believe you. Now get out!” He pointed to the door where Hannibal obediently stepped out of Chilton’s way. The cat in his arms hissed at the man walking by but otherwise remained in her new masters arms.

Will watched the cat and human in amusement. “Want to keep it?” He nodded to the cat.

Hannibal looked down with a thoughtful frown. “She did have her uses to keep Franklin away. I’ll think about it.”

Will chuckled. “You might be one of the few cat owners I know who thinks about their cat in the same utilitarian way cats think about their owners.”

Hannibal just smiled. “Freddie has allowed for you to adopt ONE dog from here. Do you want to take that puppy home?”

Will shook his head and put the puppy in his arms back down who immediately ran off to join its brothers and sisters. “No, puppies get adopted easily. I want the most unadoptable dog in this shelter.”

His gaze fell on a giant beast of a dog sitting in a corner with missing patches of fur and scars all over its body.

Hannibal followed his gaze and shook his head. “Freddie is going to hate this.”

UmbrellaDelicate: A puppy pile, I’m dying of cuteness!

Hannibal72384: Leave it to Hannibal to plan the perfect date.

Hannigramm: The perfect date for Will. Who he is dating. Will. Graham.

Hannibal72384: ಠ_ಠ

El_Escritor_Celoso_97: Oh my god, I saw Hannibal with a cat. Is Hannibal adopting a cat?

sootghoul: What’s up with that hellhound Will took home? Freddie seemed close to tears when she saw it.

BoneSoupMmm: Not as close as Chilton looked.

Chapter Text

In the end Hannibal decided to keep the cat. He named her Achilles and Will’s new dog became Patroclus (Will didn’t have the heart to tell him he had already called them Blofeld and James in his mind he doubted Hannibal would understand the reference). Hannibal seemed to have hit the nail on the head with his naming since Pat and Achilles soon became inseparable friends. Achilles regularly waited for Will and Pat to leave their room (together with the rest of the back) to jump on Pat’s back and let herself be carried around.

Today Alana was leaning into the wall opposite Will’s room and saw the daily ritual with her own two eyes. “Okay this is kind of creepy.”

Will chuckled. “I think they’re kind of cute together.”

Alana rolled her eyes with a fond smile. “You just like her because she reminds you of Hannibal.”

“You think Hannibal might jump on my back soon and let himself be carried around?”

“While you’re a big, strong police man I doubt you’d be able to do that, Will.” Alana smiled. “Actually I just came by to tell you that Margot, I and a few others are organizing a beach party in the evening.”

Will raised an eyebrow. “Without the cameras?”

“Well, we’re not planning to tell Freddie about it but I can’t promise they won’t find out quickly.” Alana shrugged.

“Sounds fun,” Will replied. “I’ll ask Hannibal but considering how much of an extrovert he is I’m pretty sure he’ll agree.”

“Alright,” Alana turned then hesitated long enough to say. “I’m really happy for you and Hannibal, You’re really cute together.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the evening Will knocked at Hannibal’s room door. He had considered wearing a suit and tie just to impress him but in the end decided it would look silly on a beach party so instead went with his swimming shorts and a tight-fitting t-shirt. Considering the look Hannibal gave him as he opened the door it might have been the right decision.

“Will, you look… very well.” Hannibal said with wide eyes. He himself had only relaxed his dress-code in so far that he wasn’t wearing a suit jacket or tie otherwise he could still be going to a cocktail party instead than to the beach.

“You look great too,” Will replied. “But don’t you think you might be slightly overdressed?”

“I dress to impress.” Hannibal answered.

Will threw a glance into the perfectly neat room behind his boyfriend decorated with small nick-knacks and… “Is that blood?”

“Mhm?” Hannibal turned around to look at his white shirt graced by a big red spot hanging from a chair. “Oh yes, I didn’t quite pay attention while dissecting a pig’s heart and unfortunately I fear the shirt might be ruined.

“Ever heard of an apron?” Will teased. “Or is that to plebian for you?”

“I might try it next time.” Hannibal replied and kissed Will on the cheek. “You always have such wonderful ideas, my love.”

Will blinked. “You’re full of compliments today, aren’t you?”

“I`m trying a new psychological technique to raise self-confidence.” Hannibal answered. “Excessive complimenting.”

“You don’t need to raise my self-confidence…” Will protested.

“Do you still think I deserve someone better than yourself?”

Will bit his lip and avoided Hannibal’s gaze.

Hannibal chuckled and pressed a kiss to his lips. “You’re cute when you’re biting your lip.”

Will sighed. “Let’s just go.”

Minutes later they arrived at the beach where several small tables with food and drinks were put up surrounded by small torches emitting light. Alana was there to greet them with a kiss on the cheek each. She was wearing a flowery dress over her bathing suit and someone – Will presumed Margot - had put a pink flower in her hair. “It’s nice to see that you two could make the time to come. Hannibal overdressed as always, Will you look lovely.”

“The shirt shows of his muscles, doesn’t it?” Hannibal commented.

Alana raised an eyebrow and looked at Will who mouthed. “Don’t ask.”

“Well make yourself at home,” she pointed towards several chairs and blankets laying on the beach where several other contestants had already sat down.

“I like the blanket over there at the water.” Will pulled Hannibal towards it.

“I like your hair.” Hannibal answered as they sat down.

“You’re ridiculous!”

“You’re beautiful.”

“Ok, change of topic!” Will protested.

“If my wonderful boyfriend wishes so!” Hannibal replied. He laid back on the blanket looking up to the stars. “We should do something about Chilton. He admitted on spying on us.”

“Oh please, you liked the attention the video gave you!” Will scoffed.

“I like anything concerning you.” Hannibal smiled at him. “But I know you dislike public attention and Chilton disregarded your wishes. He deserves to be punished for it.”

“You could sue him.” Will proposed.

“I could but Chilton has enough money and power to not suffer any big consequences.”

Will slowly started to lay down inching close to Hannibal but not quite touching him until Hannibal pulled him closer, letting Will’s head rest on his chest. Will started drawing mindless patterns into Hannibal’s clothed chest. “So what do you propose instead?”

Will could swear he felt Hannibal’s eyes bury into the back of his head but his boyfriend didn’t answer for several seconds until he said: “Maybe we’ll work on raising your confidence a bit more so you’re ready.”

Will raised an eyebrow even though Hannibal wouldn’t be able to see it. “Ready for what? Do you already have a plan?”

Hannibal chuckled, raising Will’s head up and down with every breath. “I do but it’s a secret.”

“Mysterious!”

“I like your toes.”

“Hannibal!” Will pushed into the chest under him. “Stop it! Or do you want to tell me that you have foot fetish?”

“I have a fetish for anything you have.”

Will couldn’t help but laugh. “Is that supposed to be flirting?”

“Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?”

“If I promise my self-confidence is fine will you stop?”

“I love your ingenuity.”

“I show you ingenuity!” Will rolled on top of Hannibal and pressed his lips against Hannibal’s. “Shut up or I will kiss you again.”

“Is that a threat or a reward?” Hannibal asked and leaned up into Will’s face. “I love your eyelashes!”

Will kissed him.

“I love your decisiveness.” Hannibal mumbled into his mouth.

Will kissed him.

“I love how easily you see past my façade.”

“Will you shut up?” Will kissed him again.

“I love you!”

Calm2021Tangerine: Oho look at Will and Hannibal laying on the beach. If they continue like that it won’t be long until Hannibal leaves the island if you know what I mean ;)

gabba_gabba: It will be a very sad day indeed!

WillibalGrater: The ratings of the show’ll probably tank.

Hannibal72384: Well Hannibal IS the sexiest part.

AttaGirlChiyoh: Who cares as long as Hannibal and Will are happy?

Hannigramm: Hannigramm forever!

Chapter Text

“Any idea why we’re here again?” Will asked Hannibal as they once again entered the Mating island’s studio. The audience had already sat down when the contestants entered the room and they started loudly whistling and shouting as Hannibal and Will entered holding hands. Will immediately blushed and pushed himself behind Hannibal who loved the attention – smiling and waving at everyone. The cheering only got louder and Will was happy when they finally sat down with their backs to the audience.

Hannibal leaned over to whisper in Will’s ear making the audience cheer once again. “I have to admit I don’t know why we’re meeting here once again. Maybe Freddie noticed that her age shows in natural lighting.”

Will couldn’t suppress a smile. “Freddie probably drinks the blood of a virgin every day to stay young.”

“There are several dishes that supposedly keep you young.” Hannibal commented. “But I do not think virgin blood is in any of them. An intriguing idea – maybe I should try it out one day.”

Will rolled his eyes. “Careful or I might just need to arrest you.”

Hannibal’s eyes were sparkling. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Bedelia who sat directly in front of them turned her head around to them and said: “I heard there will be a new contestant.”

Hannibal raised an eyebrow. “Already? Will and Margot both arrived in the last month usually we only get someone new every few months.”

Before anyone else could comment further Freddie entered the stage. The audience applauded but not nearly as much as when Hannibal and Will entered. Will saw Hannibal hide a smirk. Show-off!

“Hello,” Freddie greeted them with a big wave. “A wonderful evening to my dear contestants and of course my wonderful audience.” It was morning but Will guessed the episode would be released in the evening. “I have wonderful news.” She paused to give the audience time to cheer. They did. Will rolled his eyes. “You might think I’ll introduce a new contestant but you would be wrong.” Another pause and the audience awwwwwwed.

“Is the all-knowing Bedelia wrong for once?” Alana who sat between Margot and Bedelia said loud enough that everyone around her heard it. “Is actually no contestant coming?”

Freddie of course didn’t hear her and continued with a big flourish. “There are TWO new contestants.”

Bedelia turned to Alana with a smug smirk. Alana rolled her eyes and mumbled. “Still off by one contestant just the other way around.”

Bedelia scoffed. “Your math skills are incredible, my dear.”

“Who are the new contestants?” Anthony asked.

“I might have an idea.” Will answered but didn’t further elaborate.

“Impressive.” Hannibal whispered in his ear. “You have excess to information even Bedelia hasn’t?”

A shudder ran down Will’s back at the compliment and Hannibal’s close presence but before he could answer three people entered the stage walking towards Freddie. As Will had expected one of them was Brian closely followed as always by Jimmy. The last person was a strong man in black who more or less pushed Brian forward by the arm.

Once they had reached Freddie Brian pulled his arm out of the stranger’s grip. “Fucking LET GO off me!”

The man obediently let to and turned back to walk off stage without saying a word. Neither Brian nor Jimmy sat in the two chairs provided for them in front of Freddie.

Freddie’s smile looked a bit forced. “Well give a round of applause to our newest contestants!”

The audience started applauding but Brian shouted over them. “What the HELL are you doing? Why are you just clapping the moment you’re asked as if you’re trained monkeys? And what are you even applauding? Us breaking the law?”

The applause died down quickly.

“Now Brian dear,” Freddie tried to calm him down. “I know you must feel guilty about keeping your designation a secret but we put a lot of emphasis on forgiveness in this show. Don’t we guys?” She smiled at the audience which applauded once again but a lot less enthusiastically than beforehand.

“Well yeah, you wouldn’t have much of a show otherwise, would you?” Brian replied. “Mating prison doesn’t sound nearly as appealing does it? Probably not as kid-friendly.”

Freddie seemed to decide that Brian would continue to be difficult so she turned to Jimmy instead. “You two have worked for the Mating island-broadcast for several years - you must be big fans of our show.”

“Eh no.” Jimmy looked quite nervous. “It is just the last place anyone would look for an omega or alpha.”

“Oh.” Freddie’s face fell but she quickly turned it to a smile full of compassion and she put her hand on Jimmy’s arm. “Having to hide like that sounds terrible why did you feel like you needed to do it?”

Brian answered. “Bitch, not everyone would like to pop screaming poo-demons out of their vagina just because the government says so!”

Freddie blinked at him and a seemingly accidental “He’s an alpha.” stumbled out of her mouth before she got a hold of herself.

Brian rolled his eyes. “Fair enough I guess Jimmy could have fucked some omega and just ran off if he really wanted to.”

Jimmy stared at him with a horrified expression. “That sounds terrible! I could never do that to my own child.”

“There you go.” Brian nodded to Freddie. “Jimmy’s just too much of a goody-two-shoes.” Jimmy gave him an unimpressed stare back and Brian mouthed a “sorry mate” towards him but away from the cameras.

Freddie scoffed. “Millions of people have children and still manage to life their lives successfully.”

“Oh.” Brian gave her a sugar-sweet smile. “Then where are your children, Freddie?”

“I…” Freddie frowned at him. “There are already enough betas in the world. In contrast to that you have a duty…”

“…to fuck?” Brian replied. “That could be a good porno title.”

Freddie demonstratively turned away from Brian. “Jimmy, what are you searching in a partner?”
Will was absolutely sure Jimmy’s eyes twitched to Brian for a second before he blushed and stuttered. “Oh… I mean that’s a pretty private question… I guess I like it when they are intelligent and assertive and…”

“Better add fuckable.” Brian growled clearly put off by the idea of Jimmy dating anyone. “Or you might never get off this godforsaken island!”

“My dear,” Freddie looked quite put off. “I have to insist on you using more appropriate language; children are watching!”

“I use as many fucking cursewords as I goddamn want!” Brian growled back. Freddie’s eyebrow twitched and she opened her mouth but Brian just talked over her. “You know what? I’m fired anyway so I can just say it: you are a fucking backstabbing snake and I regret every day I had to spend even near your presence.”

For the first time that Will had seen Freddie was speechless.

Hannibal leaned over to him again. “I’m pretty sure Jimmy only hid his designation because he’s in love with that foul-mouthed omega.”

“I bet thirty dollars that they end up together by the end of the month.” Bedelia said.

“They are too emotionally constipated.” Alana disagreed. “I give them two months.”

“A week.” Will replied already knowing he had won.

islandlover: And I thought there could be no worse contestant than Graham.

Mysterious_L: Oh would you shut it about Will. He and Hannibal were so adorable again, holding hands and whispering to each other <3

Hannigramm: Hannigramm forever!

Bedelecter: Well this Brian-guy seems very easy to anger I have to admit.

Helljoy: I would be pissed to if I had to take part in a contest I didn’t want to be in.

SSA_SarahSunshine: Don’t give me a bad consciousness you’re watching the show just as the rest of us.

Pielover515: At least we can make sure by watching that the contestants are treated fairly and no one gets like murdered.

enbymurderhusbands: Well no one except Franklin but does he even really count?

CR: Sure absolutely no murdering here :)

Chapter Text

“I can’t believe they never told me!” Beverly grumbled as she made Will change his shirt for the fifth time. “I thought we were friends! Why do all my friends never tell me stuff?” She poked her finger into his chest. “I mean you too Mr. I’m-not-interested-in-Hannibal-fucking-Lecter!”

“I wasn’t it just kind of happen.” Will protested. “Hannibal is a force of nature no one can anticipate or control. And concerning Brian and Jimmy: I’m sure they appreciate you as a friend but it’s just easier to keep a secret the fewer people know about it.”

“Ts!” Beverly replied. “Are you keeping anything else from me? Are you a cannibal or something?”

Will laughed. “I promise you’d be the first to know if I become a cannibal, ok?” He looked down at himself. He was wearing comfortable, robust trousers for the first time since he put a foot on the island together with a low-cut T-shirt. “What are those clothes for? Usually you’re supposed to make me look like I’m going to a cocktail party whenever I step in front of a camera not… this.”

“It’s easier to keep a secret the fewer people know about it.” Beverly parroted back.

“Haha.” Will rolled his eyes. “Don’t tell me we’re going on an expedition into the jungle.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“We’re going rock climbing.” Bedelia looked about ready to murder someone. For once she wasn’t in her fine clothing but instead she wore something similar to Beverly put Will in. “I would have preferred an expedition into the jungle at least that would have made for some exotic pictures!”

“Are you afraid of breaking off a nail?” Alana teased her.

“I’ll inform you that I put a lot of effort into my appearance!” Bedelia wrinkled her nose and turned to Margot who stood next to Alana. “I can see that someone taught you how to style yourself properly as well. You can’t tell me that you’re happy to climb up some dirty stones.”

Margot shrugged and gave her an angelic smile. “It’s not the first time I dirty my hands. Filth can easily be washed off once you make sure it can’t spread any further.” Before Will could make sense of her words she looked over his shoulder. “Speaking about people who take care of their appearance.”

Will turned his head and felt his mouth become dry. It was Hannibal. But he wasn’t dressed like Hannibal. The fine suit was exchanged for comfortable jeans and a tight – very tight – dark T-Shirt that put his muscular arms and some of the hairs on his chest at show. The blood rushed into Will’s cheeks as he stuttered. “Ha… Hannibal you look…” Stunning, wasn’t coming out of his mouth.

Hannibal gave him a quick kiss on the lips and a teasing smile. “So bad?”

“N… n… no!” Will answered. “No, I really like it.”

Hannibal raised an eyebrow. “Do you dislike my suits?”

Will quickly shook his head. “You look great in a suit but it’s… nice to see you in something that shows a bit more skin as well.”

“Should I tell you a secret?” Hannibal leaned in close, gave a quick kiss to the outer shell of Will’s ear and whispered. “I’m also in possession of a leather jacket and motorcycle.” As he saw Will’s blush intensify he laughed again. “If you’re a good boy I’ll take you on a ride some time.”

“Dear god, this is a fucking family show.” A new voice said close by. “Keep it in your pants.”

Hannibal turned with a slight twitch in his lip and looked at Brian who stood next to them with his arms crossed in front of his chest. “There is no need for such crude language.”

“Actually there is.” Brian disagreed. For once he was alone and Will assumed Jimmy was still with his new stylist.

Hannibal frowned but now it looked more intrigued than displeased. “Oh? And what is that reason.”

Brian pointed at the next camera following them - they had been nearly everywhere on the island so Will had started ignoring them which was a concerning thought if he considered it. “Because this is a family show they can’t show any cursing. So if you curse in every second fucking sentence they’ll hopefully get to fucking annoyed at censoring every freaking second word and won’t broadcast every bloody thing you say.”

Hannibal looked impressed. “What an intriguing concept resorting to incessant swearing to keep anonymity.” He admitted. “I’ll have to think more about potential uses.”

Will laughed. “Oh please, you’d never use foul language even if it would be to your own advantage, you’d think it…” He kissed him on the cheek. “…rude.”

Hannibal smiled back. “You know me so well, mylimasis.”

“Will you finally tell me what that means?”

“Mhm.” Hannibal cocked his head as if to think about it then smirked. “Maybe another time.”

“I’ll find out one day!”

“I’m sure you will!”

“Hey lovebirds.” Alana called out to them. “The cars are here to get us to the climbing area.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everyone had gathered under a small mountain area where rope had already been fastened to the rock so climbers could be safeguarded – they probably couldn’t risk any of the contestants to get hurt. Freddie stood directly in front of the rocks, clothed in something resembling practical clothing bur made out of fabric that was far too flimsy to actually do anything with it without it ripping apart.

“Do you know what cements a good relationship?” She asked a clearly rhetorical question.

“Good communication.” Beverly answered immediately.

“Regularly doing something you enjoy together.” Alana added.

“Keeping a good balance in your life instead of fully relying on a partner to meet your every need.” Hannibal continued.

Freddie groaned in annoyance as she had clearly forgotten she was talking two three psychiatrists. “Yes thank you, all those things are probably very healthy but what is even more important is…” She made a dramatic pause. “…keeping life exciting. Going through a dangerous situation together gives you an unbreakable bond nothing can replicate.”

“Dangerous?” Will repeated looking at the ropes fastened to the rock and the climbing gear lying on the ground next to them. “That?”

Freddie threw him a very dirty glare but didn’t further respond to his comment. “Every couple will go to one of the climbing ranges and you’ll climb up together. The alphas will go first so they can help their omegas if need be. If the omega falls he’ll be connected with rope to both their alpha as well as the rocks so don’t worry about falling off.”

“What if the alpha falls?” Will questioned her.

“Excuse me?”

“You explained what happened when the omega falls.” Will answered. “But what if the alpha falls?”

“I…” Freddie stuttered before getting a grip on herself. “They’ll of course be fastened to the rock too.”

“But they could still hit the omega before the rope catches them.” Will pointed out. He looked Hannibal up and down before nodding. “Sorry darling but I think I’d better go first. You know after all the physical training I had as part of my JOB!” He spoke unnecessary loud while turning back to Freddie.

Freddie gaped at them but Hannibal just gave Will a sweet smile. “Oh save me, my brave soldier!”

“Right.” Freddie tried to distract from them again. “While I know you’ll all have a lot of fun climbing I have even more exciting news for you: Up on the mountain awaits you a surprise.”

“Yeay us.” Will was already walking over to one of the climbing ranges where a assistant waited to help both him and Hannibal into their climbing gear. Seeing her flirty smile and the way she was resting her hands slightly longer on Hannibal’s chest Will felt the jealously well up in his chest. With a growl he turned away from them and started grabbing onto the stone and hoisted himself up the first few meters. He most definitely did not feel glee as Hannibal turned away from the assistant without a second word and pulled himself up beneath Will.

“Is there a reason you’re rushing up the mountain so fast?” Hannibal’s voice sounded completely relaxed as if he wasn’t just pulling most of his weight up by his arms. Maybe Will had underestimated his sportiness.

“Maybe I’m just exciting for the reward waiting for us.” Will answered casually as he pulled himself up higher and higher. He had done more difficult obstacle courses in basic training for the FBI.

“Maybe.” You could hear the smile in Hannibal’s voice. “But just in case I’ll assure you that the young lady beneath us could never even compare to your splendor.”

Will’s almost lost the grip of the stone. “Still going on with the compliments to raise my self-confidence?”

“I simply speak the truth.” Hannibal answered.

“Sure.” Will didn’t really believe that but it was nice of Hannibal to say it.

“May I say that you look just as splendid from down below as face-to-face?”

Will nearly choked on a laugh. “Are you saying I have a nice ass?”

“Well.” Hannibal sounded indignant. “I wouldn’t have used such crude words.”

“Thank you, Hannibal.” Will answered smiling. “I quite like your ass as well.”

“I have the feeling you aren’t taking this seriously.” Hannibal grumbled.

“If you mean the climbing range, you’re right.” Will looked up. “We’re already up three-quarters and I’m barely out of breath.”

“You’ll have to consider that most contestants aren’t trained FBI agents.” Hannibal replied. “And they seem to have quite a lot of problems with what you consider easy.”

Will looked to the climbing ranges next to theirs and had to admit Hannibal was right. Most contestants had barely made it up a few feet and someone had already fallen down to be caught by the ropes. “I guess once we’re up there we’ll have some time to kill.”

“I can think of some activities that we could enjoy.” Hannibal’s voice made heat coil in Will’s lower body.

Will finally pulled himself up the last bit up to the ridge of the mountain range and climbed fully up. Once he stood firmly on the ground he bent down to hold a hand out for Hannibal. His alpha looked up at him with a smile and took the hand. He wasn’t a light man but Will managed to pull him up until they were standing face to face once again.

Hannibal took a step closer and gave him a deep kiss. “My savior!”

Will couldn’t help but smile into Hannibal’s smile. “You make a beautiful damsel in distress but that’s probably no wonder. You’d be a beautiful anything.”

“And you say I give exaggerated compliments.”

“You do!” Will answered before his curiosity took over. “What do you think is this prize we’re supposed to find up here?”

Hannibal pointed at two envelopes lying close to them that were weighted down by a small rock but you could still make out their names written on them. “I’d wager that.”

Will frowned and took his envelope to open it. Inside was a picture of… Jack Crawford? He frowned and looked up at Hannibal who held up two photos. One was of a young woman probably in her twenties with long brown hair and another one was a woman around Hannibal’s age with black hair put up in a complicated hairdo.

“Any clues what this means?” Will asked.

Before Hannibal could answer there was a loud shriek close by to them. Will turned and saw Margot holding her own envelope and photo standing next to Alana who looked at her just as confused as Will did. Will rushed over to Margot trying to figure out if she got hurt in some way. As he stood next to her his eyes fell on the photo in her hand that showed Mason Verger. Written over it were the words: `See you soon, sister dearest.`

“If I could wager a guess.” Hannibal started. “I’d say that the surprise they want to show us is that they have invited our families to the island.”

Will just continued to stare at the picture of the man who took his child from him.

DaringD: Yeay it’s family time again. Last time was really fun, I really liked Abigail.

LadyNyx6: Any idea why they announced it like that this time?

DaringD: Remember how Hannibal ruined their last announcement? Probably because of that.

LadyNyx6: Oh yes that was hilarious!

UmbrellaDelicate: Speaking about Hannibal, today he was so sweet with Will again. There’s a dream pair.

Hannigramm: Hannigramm forever!

Bedelecter: Hey don’t just ignore how Antony nearly risked his life to safe Bedelia. Such a dream man.

islandlover: I’m pretty sure Bedelia could have done it herself if she really wanted.

Bedelecter: That’s not the point! A true gentlemen saves you no matter if your actually in danger.

El_Escritor_Celoso_97: Is there a reason there was so much bleeping in this episode?

Chapter Text

“Will... Will it will be fine!” Hannibal knelt in front of Will who was sitting on his bed and seemed very close to hyperventilating. His dogs had formed a close circle around them whining in distress and even Hannibal’s cat had come close to purr into Will’s back to calm him down. Will quite honestly wasn’t quite sure how he had even made it from the climbing range to his room. Hannibal must have manhandled him most of the way.

“He’s going to hurt me!” Will whined his hands buried into his hair pulling hard enough several strands of it had already ripped out.

“I won’t let him.” Hannibal’s hands took hold of his own and forced them to let go.

“You don’t understand who Mason Verger is!” Will shook his head wildly panicking. “He has neither morals nor empathy and enough money and power to get whatever he wants.”

For a moment Hannibal’s smile reminded Will of a predator but then his boyfriends concerned gaze bored into his and the moment was over. “I’m missing neither money or power.”

“He killed my child!” Will shouted before his eyes widened and his hands slammed over his mouth but it was too late. It was already said.

Something flashed in Hannibal’s eyes. “He did what?”

“He… he…” There were tears in Will’s eyes as he let his hands sink back down in his lap. “When Margot and I slept together he wasn’t happy and then one day… I… I get a call that Margot had miscarried but she didn’t.” He shook his head wildly and his voice dropped to a whisper. “He killed it… our baby. He probably would have done more to Margot if the government wasn’t so meticulous over alphas and omegas being able to birth babies.” The tears started rolling down his cheeks. “He always hated me for daring to sully his precious blood line. Some poor kid from Louisiana and an omega at that… the probability of two omegas bearing an alpha is greatly reduced and an alpha heir was the only thing he would accept.” Will took a deep breath and looked up at Hannibal. “He will never forgive me that transgression and once he’s here… I’m sure he will try to hurt me. Maybe hurt you!” Maybe dating Hannibal hadn’t been such a good idea. If Mason got his claws in him Hannibal might not even have the time to get tired of Will.

As if Hannibal read his mind he put his hands around Will’s face and forced him to look at him. “Don’t worry about me I’m tougher than I look. I will protect us both.”

“You don’t understand. “Will whispered. “You can’t just play big, strong alpha and scare him off. There’s nothing short of death that will make him stop.”

“Then I kill him.” Hannibal sounded deathly serious.

“What!” Will starred at him in horror.

“I know it’s not a palatable solution to you especially considering your job.” Hannibal explained calmly. “But the situation might not leave us many other options. I would kill for you Will Graham you must understand that. What would you do if it were Alana who was threatened?”

Will starred down at him. What if someone threatened to hurt Alana in the same way Margot was hurt? What if Mason killed Hannibal in the cross-fire of trying to hurt Will? Hadn’t he had similar thoughts like Hannibal when he first heard what happened to Margot?

“I understand.” Will heard himself say. “I would do the same for you.”

The smile on Hannibal’s face could have dazzled the sun. He took both of Will’s hands in his and started kissing each finger one after the other. “My dear, my love, mylimasis, never fear no harm will ever come upon you as long as I live. We will make sure Mason Verger will never hurt anyone again. Together!”

Will felt his mouth go dry. “Together.”

Hannibal’s smile was the prettiest thing Will had ever seen. A succubus would have been jealous of how his boyfriend could make anyone’s heart beat faster with just a heated gaze. As he stood up and sat next to Will on the bed Hannibal asked: “Now that we have decided on that unpleasant matter I do have to ask: Who is the man I saw on the photo you received as an announcement of the family visit?”

“Oh.” Will rolled his eyes. “That’s Jack Crawford, my boss. I don’t have any living family left and no friends to speak of except Alana and she is already here so I guess they got desperate. Maybe Jack even asked to be chosen so he can ask more questions over the latest cases, I don’t know.”

“That sounds like something Freddie would do. The first time she tried a family visit with me I might have slightly… bamboozled her and since then she is careful to choose a fitting family member a long time beforehand.”

Will frowned. “What did you do?”

Hannibal smirked. “That might be a story for another time. So you have no warm feelings for Jack?”

“Not really.” Will shrugged. “He’s okay I guess? He means well, he can just be a bit… much.” Will remembered something. “Wait a moment, who are the girl and other woman on your pictures if Freddie had so many problems locating your family last time?”

“Oh those are a close friend whose mother used to be my nanny and my daughter.”

Will’s eyes widened. “Your daughter?”

“Well step-daughter.” Hannibal sighed. “Unfortunately after American law every alpha and omega need to have a blood-related child and I only adopted so it her in her late teen years it doesn’t count.”

“You have a STEP-DAUGHTER?” Will’s voice sounded higher than usual. “Why didn’t I know about that?”

Hannibal shrugged. “I usually don’t go around telling people about her – especially potential dates. I’m a private person.”

“Oh god,” Will was panicking again but this time for another reason. “I’m not ready to be a step-father!”

“Will the only way you will get off this island is by bearing a child and becoming a father.” Hannibal pointed out.

“I know.” Will shouted. “But it will be a baby. All babies need is food, new nappies and sleep. Every idiot can take care of a baby. But your daughter looks like she is in her early twenties!”

“Twenty-one.” Hannibal answered.

“TWENTY-ONE!” Will cried. “She will want a proper conversation where I look her in the eyes.”

“I think you’re getting far too worked up over this.”

“If I get a baby it won’t remember how terrible I am at being a parent once it grows up but your daughter will remember every stupid thing I say.”

“You are really overestimating Abigail’s ability to even remember where she put her own phone.”

“I’m taking her father away. She will hate me!”

“You hardly taking me away, she is studying in an Italian college and only comes home for the holidays.”

“Hannibal, dating me might not have been the best idea.”

“We are not breaking up because you are scared of a barely legal girl who doesn’t even reach your chin with the top of her head.”

Will glared at him. “I’m not scared that she could beat me up!”

Hannibal pulled Will into his chest so his boyfriends head rested on his shoulder. “Wonderful, I’m sure you two will get one splendidly then.”

“Sometimes you can be a real prat did you know that?”

“Now don’t go around saying that when Abigail is around, she might start hating you.”

Will punched him in the shoulder.

BoneSoupMmm: Any idea why Will and Hannibal weren’t in the closing announcement of Freddie this episode? I missed their pretty faces.

Bedelecter: Alana and Margot where also missing. You think something happened?

sootghoul: Maybe they snuck off for some private time ;)

Calm2021Tangerine: I don’t think so there were some leaked pictures where they both looked quite ill.

Hannibal72384: Hannigramm were the leaked pictures your work again?

Hannigramm: I’m admitting to nothing but that Hannibal is very cute when he’s taking care of his boyfriend.

gabba_gabba: You think there’s family problems involved? That stuff can be dangerous.

islandlover: They’re only visiting for a few days I’m sure they’ll all survive seeing family for that long

WillibalGrater: You can be such an asshole, did you know that!

Chapter Text

Youtube video of Hannibal Lecter introducing his parents:

“Dear viewers, today we traveled all the way from our small island to the beautiful country of Lithuania and it’s finally time…” Freddie Lounds was walking along a small path leading to a clearing of a small forest. “Once we’re beyond these trees we’ll finally be able to meet the parents of our favorite candidate!”

Hannibal was waiting at the opening with a big smile (you would have called it a smirk if you’d known him a bit better). Freddie smiled back and excitedly walked past him unto…

A cemetery. It was a pretty small cemetery next to a slightly decrepit manor house. The flowers planted on and between the graves were well-maintained if a bit wild and the graves were kept free of vines and dirt so you could still read the inscription.

Hannibal stood next to a double grave which clearly was one of the newer additions to the cemetery considering the light tone of the stone in contrast to the weathered stones around them.

In a dramatic gesture Hannibal pointed at the graves. “I introduce you to my parents.”

There was a loud thump. Freddie had thrown her microphone to the ground in frustration.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“You did not!”

“I did.”

“No fucking way.” Will laughed hard enough Achilles – Hannibal’s cat – jumped off his unsteady lap and stared at him in betrayal before rolling into Hannibal’s side who obediently started petting her.

“Freddie wasn’t happy.” Hannibal admitted.

“I bet!” Will chuckled. “Oh god, I can’t imagine how expensive it was to bring you, herself and all the film crew to fucking Europe and all for you to show her some old graves.” A thought came to him and he suddenly became serious. “You don’t think it’s disrespectful for me to laugh about that, do you? I wouldn’t care if someone laughed at my dad’s grave but most people probably like their parents more than I do.”

Hannibal waved it off. “I was the one to make the scenario into a joke it would be hypocritical to get angry at people laughing at it. I loved my parents but it’s a long time ago and I’m over there death. There is a reason why I showed Freddie their graves and not my sisters…” He trailed off starring down at Achilles who he continued to pet.

“You want to talk about her?” Will asked carefully.

“She had a cat she adored.” Hannibal sounded like he wasn’t even aware Will was there too lost in memory. “I wonder what became of her. Hopefully the poor thing ran off and found herself a nice home to grow old in” He looked up and blinked at Will. “Look at what you’re doing to me, making me all nostalgic.”

“Is your sister the reason you wanted to get a cat?” Will asked not able to switch off his empathy even when he wanted to.

Hannibal raised an eyebrow. “Is your father the reason you don’t have self-confidence?”

“Asking after my father?” Will leaned forward. “That’s lazy for you reaching after such low hanging fruit, Doctor.”

Hannibal leaned in as well so they were close enough to breath in each other’s breath. “I suspect that fruit is on a high branch, very difficult to reach.”

“Difficult to reach just as yourself?” Will whispered.

“I’m just in front of you all you need to do is reach out.” Hannibal answered.

Will leaned for to press his lips against his…

The door slammed open with a loud crash that made both Achilles as well as several of Will’s dogs jump and Margot walked into the room. She closed the door behind her nonchalantly and said: “I know you’re planning to kill my brother. I want in.”

“What?” Will was flabbergasted.

“Did you check that no one was outside to overhear us?” Hannibal asked casually.

“Of course.” Margot said. “So what is the plan?”

“Would the two of you stop casually planning a murder in front of me?” Will’s voice got higher the longer he talked. “I’m a police officer if you remember.”

“Of course darling.” Hannibal kissed his cheek. “Now hush.” He turned to Margot. “We thought we would wait until we know a bit more of where our guests will stay and how and when we’re are supposed to spend time with them.”

“Did we?” Will asked incredulous.

“Sounds reasonable.” Margot answered as if she they were talking about the weather. “But I want reassurance.”

“I want reassurance that not all of my closest confidences barely blink an eye when they talk over killing people!” Will shouted.

“We’re only being practical.” Hannibal pointed out. “And you still have Alana for that requirement.”

“I’m noticing that you haven’t mentioned Bedelia for my requirement!” Will pointed out. “What is wrong with Bedelia?”

Hannibal rubbed Will’s back in a calming gesture. “Nothing is wrong with Bedelia she is just a practical woman.” Again he turned the topic back to murder as if it was the most normal thing in the world. “What kind of reassurance do you want, Margot?”

“If my brother tries something…” Margot swallowed heavily and Will swore her eyes were a bit brighter than before. “I want a way to send you a message and have reassurance that you will come to save me.”

“Of course we will!” Will said.

“It won’t be so easy.” Hannibal pointed out. “The family member that will come to visit Will is a police officer.”

“Maybe we could send him in when Mason tries something.” Will proposed.

“It wouldn’t stop my brother for long.” Margot answered.

“No but it might give us the time we need to do what…” Will bit his lip. “…what needs to be done.”

Hannibal nodded and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Yes, we could use Jack Crawford.”

“You’re making it sound like you have experience with planning a murder!” Will complained.

“Darling, I planned hundreds of dinner parties by now.” Hannibal answered. “A murder really isn’t anything difficult in comparison.”

“Right!” Will stood up with his hands held up. “You two can continue your murder talk, I need some fresh air.”

Neither tried to stop him. He was glad Hannibal understood his need for space especially in a difficult time.

Unfortunately Will had only taken a few steps outside of his room before Jimmy literally ran into him. “Will here you are! I need your help, something terrible has happened.”

“Please tell me it’s not about murder!” Will said.

“What? No!” Jimmy waved him off. “I slept with Brian!”

AttaGirlChiyoh: OMG, the drama! Not even a week on the island and already sleeping together, it seems like Brian and Jimmy won’t stay long.

Mysterious_L: Who knows how long they’ll need to conceive. Maybe they even managed to smuggle in protection.

Helljoy: But why is Jimmy saying that it’s terrible?

SSA_SarahSunshine: It’s probably just nerves, the two are clearly made for each other

islandlover: Am I the only one who noticed that Will complained about talking about murder too much?

Pielover515: He’s literally a detective at the FBI, he probably just had a long conversation with his chef.

Hannigramm: While we’re at the topic: I have inside information we’ll soon know more about Will’s relationship with his boss.

Hannibal72384: Where the hell do you get all your inside information?

Hannigramm: I don’t kiss and tell <3.

enbymurderhusbands: Get a room you two

Chapter Text

“I slept with Brian!” Jimmy sounded like the world had just ended in front of his eyes.

Will blinked. “Ok… and what is the terrible thing that supposedly happened?”

“That I slept with Brian!” Jimmy repeated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“What is so terrible about that?” Will asked. “Is he that bad in bed?”

“NO!” Jimmy shouted. “But he didn’t want to sleep with me. He said so!”

“While you slept together?” Now Will was starting to feel alarmed.

“Of course not in bed!”Jimmy growled. “He told me so when they discovered we were pretending to be betas. He said he didn’t want to sleep with a stupid alpha who was only trying to knock him up even if he’d never leave the island then.”

“And how does that concern you?”

“I’m an alpha!”

Will sighed. “Do you always only listen to the first part of every sentence? Sounds like a very difficult way to get through life. Although maybe it’s a protective mechanism everyone who is around Freddie Lounds for long needs to develop to survive.”

“This is not funny!”

“Listen!” Will raised his hands in exasperation. “Did you only sleep with Brian to knock him up?”

“Oh…”

“Yes, oh!” Will rubbed his eyes, it seemed everyone wanted to give him a headache today. “What did you do after you slept together?”

Jimmy hesitated. “…Ran off to find you?”

“Do you see how that might be sending mixed massages?”

“But… Brian never wanted an alpha!”

“Me neither but somehow an annoying, self-assured, beautiful, infuriating leech of an alpha attached himself to me and I’m not worthy for him but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to let him go.” Even if he had to kill for Hannibal.

“You think Brian might be…” Jimmy sounded hopeful. “But what about children?”

“Maybe he’ll want them with you, maybe you two will live together forever with nothing but a cactus but you won’t know until you ask.”

“I… I guess so.”Jimmy looked at him with a curious look. “How are you so perceptive and still so blind?”

Will blinked in confusion. “Are you trying to compliment or insult me?”

Jimmy patted him on the arm. “You are more than worthy the likes of Hannibal Lecter.” And he walked off.

Will starred after him for several seconds before he finally shook his head and turned back to open his room. Finally some peace and quiet from the chaos around hi…

“Hello.”

Will jumped and his hand immediately went to where his holster usually sat. Unfortunately guns were illegal at the dating show so he turned around empty-handed towards the pretty lady sitting on his bed. She had dark hair that was put up in a complicated looking hair-do on her head and her smell was distinctly beta. She had a few crows-feet around her eyes and seemed around Hannibal’s age maybe a bit younger. His dogs useless as always after someone bribed them where lying around her on the ground.

As Will turned to the woman she looked at him with cold eyes – he immediately realized that she was dangerous. “What do you want?”

“So rude.” She answered. “And that coming from someone dating Hannibal Lecter.”

“I tried my best to frighten him off with my foul mouth but it didn’t quite worked.” The mention of his boyfriend brought a memory to Will’s mind. “You’re part of his family. His… former nanny was it?”

“You’re well informed.” She replied. “My name is Chiyoh.”

“You shouldn’t be in this room Chiyoh.” Will said carefully moving through the room to his desk where he was hiding his gun. “You shouldn’t even be on the island at the moment.”

“I’m good at that – being where I’m not supposed to be.” She said. “Maybe Hannibal rubbed off on me.”

“Hannibal used to be a rapscallion?” A smile tugged at Will’s lips at the thought.

“I would argue he still is one to a point.” Chiyoh answered. “That’s why I’m here.”

“You’re here because Hannibal likes to break rules?” Will asked. “Are you afraid I’m a bad influence and make him hang-out behind the school and smoke cigarettes or what?”

“Did you hear about his daughter?” Chiyoh changed the topic fast enough to give Will whiplash.

“Abigail?”

“There are rumors about her.” Chiyoh said. “Her father was a serial killer before the police shot him dead as they caught him with the corpse of Abigail’s mother and herself bleeding out on the ground.”

Will blinked at the information. “Is that why Hannibal adopted her?”

“Hannibal saved her life and adopted her.” Chiyoh confirmed. “She was barely fifteen.”

Will huffed. “Hannibal really likes to fix broken people, doesn’t he?” Suddenly he felt much more connected to Abigail.

Chiyoh smiled. “He likes broken things more than you’d understand.” She cocked her head.” There are rumors about Abigail. They say she helped her father with a few of his kills.”

“She was a child!” Will protested. “He was her father! People would do a lot of things for the ones they love.”

“They would.” Chiyoh nodded. “A lot of people would kill if it saved the ones they loved. Would you do the same for Hannibal?”

Will thought about Mason. About how he hurt Margot – how he might hurt Hannibal to get to Will. “Yes.”

“Curious. Hannibal really knows how to pick them doesn’t he?” Suddenly Chiyoh’s mask of indifference slipped of her face and was replaced by a big smile. Will felt like he passed some kind of test of his worthiness to date Hannibal by his… kind-of-protective-sister? Guardian? “So do you want to see the baby pictures I brought from Hannibal?”

DaringD: What is going on with Jimmy and Brian? First you see Jimmy run through the picture as they were interviewing Bedelia (twice!) and then all the shouting in the background. I thought Bedelia was going to kill them.

LadyNyx6: Don’t forget the shirt that suddenly fell from the first-floor window ;)

UmbrellaDelicate: Make-up sex is the best!

Hannigramm: Check out these baby-pictures I found of Hannibal!

Hannibal72384: How the fuck do you always do this?

Hannigramm: <3

Chapter Text

Will stood in a line of omegas feeling like that scene in Mulan with her at the match maker. At least Hannibal had no parents any more to be disappointed in Will. Would everyone soon start singing? God he felt nervous.

Brian next to him stood with his arms crossed and an annoyed expression on his face. “This is ridiculous! Jimmy and I’ve been best friends for decades I know his bloody family!”

Will tapped his food nervously. “At least you know they won’t be disappointed at seeing you.”

Brian rolled his eyes. “I don’t know what you’re so worried about. Hannibal’s nanny and his daughter are coming, all you’ll probably need to do is give the old woman some knitting utensils and the brat a twilight book to read and they’ll love you.”

“Chiyoh is about Hannibal’s age and seems more comfortable with a rifle than with a knitting needle!” Will protested. “And Abigail is TWENTY-ONE for god sake!”

Bedelia had listened to their discussion with an amused smile and proposed:”How about giving her fifty shades than?”

“GOD NO!” Will protested in horror at the thought that his daughter… Hannibal’s daughter would get her innocent eyes burned by that filth.

Margot sighed. “Come on Will, whatever happens with Abigail you just have to think about how much worse Alana has it at the moment.” She seemed completely relaxed. In contrast to her own family everyone else’s probably seemed like angels.

Will opened his mouth to answer but was interrupted by Jimmy storming into the room with wide open arms. “BRIAN DARLING!”

Will frowned - something was wrong with Jimmy. He didn’t… feel like Jimmy.

Brian sighed and simply side-stepped the alpha trying to pull him into a bear-hug. Jimmy started pouting. “Come on fiancé, don’t you want to give me a big smooch?”

“What do you want Tim?” Brian growled.

Jimmy – Tim blinked as in surprise but he was overacting a bit too much for it to be believable. “I’m not Tim, I’m his far less hot twin brother Jimmy!” He tried hugging him again.

Brian punched him on the shoulder. “That hasn’t worked on me for decades.”

“OW!” Tim yowled rubbing his shoulder. “I see you haven’t gotten any less violent since becoming an omega.”

“Timmy!” A strict voice warned behind him. Two women had stepped in behind Jimmy’s twin smelling like a mated alpha/omega-pair. The bigger woman smelling like an alpha stepped up and put her hand on Tim’s. “Brian hasn’t become an omega, he has always been one. And I told you to not tease him like that he has had a hard time as it is.”

Meanwhile the omega mother pulled Brian into a warm hug. “Oh sweetheart I’m so sorry that you felt like you couldn’t tell us something so important. You know we wouldn’t have treated you any different, right?”

Brian blushed bright red and awkwardly patted her arm. “It’s… fine.”

“Marianne, maybe we should take this somewhere a bit more private.” Marianne’s alpha told her.

“Yes of course!”

The small family left and Will looked after Brian feeling slightly jealous. He wished he could have an already established relationship with his partner’s family.

“Hello Will,” A voice suddenly said right next to him. “I brought more baby pictures.”

Will jumped and whirled around to face Chiyoh who somehow managed to sneak up on him as if his police training meant nothing. “Eh… hello again Chiyoh.” Will stuttered. His gaze fell on the slender young woman with long brown hair standing next to Chiyoh who was biting her lip nervously. “He… hello Abigail.”

“Baby pictures?” Bedelia repeated.

“Maybe we should go somewhere a bit more private.” Will suggested.

Bedelia looked about ready to follow them but Margot took hold of her arm. “It’s not worth it they are on the internet already.”

Will’s mouth fell open as he was guided out the door by Chiyoh. How did their life continue to end up on the internet?

“So…” Abigail started when they stood alone in a small room reserved for only them... well them and the camera team filming their every move.

“So…” Will echoed not knowing what to say.

“Dear god!” Chiyoh rolled her eyes and gestured at Will. “Abigail this is Will Graham, your father’s emotionally stunted police fiancé who looks at a brutal murder scenes without blinking an eye but apparently can’t have a normal conversation to save his life.” She turned around to gesture at Abigail. “Will this Abigail, your fiancé’s adopted daughter who’s father his a cannibalistic serial killer and who is suspected of being a murderer as well.”

“CHIYOH!” Abigail shouted in protest, her eyes wide and fearful.

Will felt with her. He probably looked just the same when Jack was using him for his gift once again and everyone around him looked at him as if he had actually killed whatever victim he was talking about and not just imagining it far too vividly.

“It’s fine!” Came out of his mouth before he could stop it. Abigail blinked at him in surprise and Will forced himself to continue. “I… I understand the feeling of people thinking the worst of you for things you don’t have under your control. It’s not your fault your father is a serial killer; mine wouldn’t have won any parenting prices either if you ask me.” Then he noticed how his words could be misconstrued. “I… I mean your biological father was a serial killer. I didn’t … I wasn’t trying to say Hannibal… He would never… I mean cannibalism and stuff…” He broke off mortified.

Abigail started giggling. Then it became louder and louder before she was downright laughing in Will’s face. “I’m sorry.” She said while clearly trying to contain her laughter. “I’m not… laughing at you, I promise, it’s just…” She helplessly moved a hand up and down as if that would mean anything to Will.

Will turned helplessly confused to Chiyoh.

“Don’t mind her.” Chiyoh was glaring at Abigail. “She has the tendency to laugh when she is nervous.”

“So… sorry!” Abigail repeated slowly calming down. “It’s just that dad is always so suave and self-assured and all of his friends are too. You are just so…”

“Pathetic?” Will suggested.

“Different.” Abigail answered her smile showing more pity than laughter now. “In a good way. I think dad should just have someone who supplements him a bit more rather than just adding to the same.”

“Oh.” Will felt a bit better even if still off-kilter. “So you think I complement him?”

“Well Chiyoh seemed to think so and I trust her judgment.” Abigail shrugged. “Just… if you could answer a more personal question?”

“Sure.”

“Did you ever kill someone?”

Will blinked at her in surprise. What was it with Hannibal’s family and these morbid topics? But maybe he shouldn’t be surprised by that question from the daughter of a serial killer. “Yes once.” He answered. “It was to save a young teenager’s life. Quite similar to your situation once upon a time I figure.”

“Would you do it again?” Abigail asked.

“To save the ones I love.” Will answered truthfully. “Yes.”

El_Escritor_Celoso_97: OMG, how is Jimmy’s twin looking so much like him it’s so creepy.

sootghoul: Personality wise they aren’t much alike though. No wonder Brian looked through his act so fast. Still cute how well this family already gets along, a promising start.

BoneSoupMmm: Apropos, is it just me or is Hannibal’s nanny-chick and Will acting like they already know each other?

Hannigramm: Hanni and Will were just meant for each other <3

Calm2021Tangerine: Probably some weird stuff happening behind the scenes everyone knows dating shows are mostly fake.

gabba_gabba: Why is everyone on the show talking about murder lately?

Chapter Text

A very creeeeepy greetings once again my dear watchers. The trees have lost their leaves and pumpkins have appeared in our gardens as if brought by ghostly appreciation so you know what that means: it’s time for the most scary night of the year and to celebrate I thought up a very special episode this week.

We will take our chance to play ghosts ourselves and sneak into our contestant’s rooms to take a look at what they get up to when they’re not in front of the camera.

Welcome… to the most horrifying room tour of all time.

The camera was pointed at Freddy who was standing at a non-descript door and was holding a finger to her lips as if to tell the camera team to be quiet. Her hand on the doorknob turned slowly… carefully… and then she suddenly threw the door open revealing the room within. The camera rushed past her into the room and saw…:

Absolutely nothing. The room was completely dark not a shimmer of light to be seen.

“I thought you said she was in.” Freddie’s impatient voice could be heard in the background.

“She hasn’t left her room all day, I watched the door!” A male voice replied.

“Well clearly…”

“I was expecting you!” Freddie was interrupted by a sudden light which forced the camera to refocus for a moment before it showed Bedelia Du Maurier who was sitting in an armchair with Hannibal’s cat on her lap. She slowly stroked the back of the cap while looking directly into the camera. Her dress was an immaculate, shimmering black and her perfectly applied, dark makeup matched.

“What the hell!” The shock was very audible in Freddie’s voice. “Why the hell did you do that?”

“I have a flair for the dramatic.” Bedelia answered in a blasé tone.

Freddie started sounding impatient. “How did you even know we were coming?”

“I have my sources.” Bedelia’s half-smile would have made any bond villain proud. “So do you want to look around the room?” She made a wide gesture with her hand.

“That you just cleaned up to make sure nothing strange could be found in it?” Freddie asked. “I think we’ll skip.”

“Well then I wish you a very…” Bedelia paused and cocked her head, her smile changing into the eerie kind. “…successful further hunt!”

The next door the film crew stopped in front of was decorated by a very pretty wreath made of yellow, red and orange leaves. Next to the door two pumpkins were placed, their toothy smiles lit up by the candles within.

Freddie seemed a bit more impatient as she gripped the door handle but luckily for her the room was lit up this time as the door flew open and revealed…

Cobwebs. The entire entrance was covered in fake cobwebs. Several fake spiders and bats seemed to have been caught within and were starring down at the camera as the team made their way inside.

“Happy Halloween!” A cheery voice shouted. After a hand pushed off the last of the cobwebs off the camera Alana Bloom was revealed dressed in a black dress just as Bedelia but adorned by a black witch’s hat and holding a broom in one hand and a basket in the shape of a pumpkin in the other which she was holding out to the camera. “Trick or treat?”

“WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE!” Freddie came into the view of the camera, still having several cobwebs stuck in her formerly immaculate hair.

Alana shrugged. “It’s Halloween and I like decorating.“

“I wanted to do a room tour!” Freddie complained.

“Well why did you try something like that on Halloween, silly? Do you want some candy?” She waved her basket which was filled with treats.”

Suddenly the camera was shaking as the cameraman reached out with a hand. “If you don’t mind…”

Freddie slapped his hand away. “Get back to work Greg!” - You could hear a disappointed ‘Awww’ from Greg in the background – “Who did you even buy the sweets for? There are no children in this neighborhood who could go trick-or-treating.”

“I wanted to do it the other way around this year.” Alana smiled. “I knock at other people’s doors to give them candy and if they don’t take it I get to play pranks on them. I’ll be especially persistent at Will’s door he needs some more meat on his bones.”

Freddie let out a deep sigh. “If you want to do that why are you still here?”

“When I knocked at Bedelia’s she told me you would show up at my room so I wanted to say hi.” Alana gave the camera a short wave and a smile. “Hi.” Then she turned to the still open door. “I really need to get going now though.”

“Wait!” Freddie shouted after her. “You didn’t tell Graham or Lecter about us coming, did you?”

“No!” Came the answer from outside. “And if you hurry I won’t reach them until you can.”

As Freddie turned to follow her out of the room you could see the hand of the cameraman grabbing one of the chocolate bars still lying on the table.

This time the door was decorated tastefully with small fairy lights. Freddie’s grip on the door knob was a bit tighter than beforehand. She pushed the door open and as the camera moved into the room Hannibal Lecter looked up with only a slight widening of the eyes showing his surprise. He was dressed in a clear overall covered in a red substance that obviously was supposed to emulate blood and on his table – which was also protected by a transparent table cloth - laid several fake-severed body parts. It was all done very professionally so that they nearly looked real. Hannibal was holding a scalpel in his hands which was also red with the substances covering most other things in the room.

“Hello Freddie.” Hannibal sounded as polite as always. “I didn’t know you would be paying me a visit today or I would have cleaned up.” Except for the Halloween decoration the room was entirely spotless.

“So you are decorating too?” Freddie asked looking around. “At least you didn’t cover the entire place in cobwebs like Ms. Bloom did.”

“Yes.” Hannibal smiled. “I am… decorating. I do love this countries obsession with Halloween. Dressing up can give you the chance to slip into a role you would have never considered for yourself or it can be your chance to reveal what is truly inside you.”

Freddie laughed. “You know most people just like the excuse to dress up in skimpy clothing and get drunk.”

“Well not everything needs to have a deeper meaning.” Hannibal bowed his head slightly to concede her point then his smile became a bit more impish. “Maybe I should visit Will tonight and expound the particular tradition you mentioned to him.”

“...Our viewers would like those pictures.” Freddie sounded pensive.

“Freddie…” Hannibal’s eyes darkened slightly and a warning tone crept into his voice. “This is a family show. And I have very good lawyers.”

“Fine, fine!” Freddie sounded disappointed.

“Wow, look at that watch!” A new female voice whispered in the background. “I saw that one in a documentary once, those are super rare!”

“KIMBERLY!” Freddie hissed. “Is this entire team unprofessional today?”

“Well, the long-term employees all went home to their families.” Greg the cameraman explained. “We are just the interns.”

“Would you shut up!”

Hannibal ignored their bickering and looked at the watch on his arm. “You have a good eye, Kimberly, this watch is indeed quite expensive and well-worth the price.”

“Wow, I think the only person I saw it before on was Mr. Franklyn Froideveaux.” Kimberly answered.

Hannibal’s smile got a bit more tight-lipped. “Yes, Franklyn had a tendency to emulate my style.”

“Aren’t you worried that it will get dirty?”

“It will wash off.” Hannibal answered simply.

Will Graham’s door looked like everyone else’s except that the lower part was lightly scratched on and full of dog hair. Freddie winkled her nose as she grabbed the door handle and immediately loud barking resounded from within.

“Well so much for a surprise entrance.” Freddie sighed and opened the door to let the camera team in.

Loud barking could be heard and the dogs jumping in front of the camera obscured the view for a moment before Will’s slumped over body could be seen in the dim light of the room. He was bent over several pictures which were spread over a table. As the camera came closer you could make out dark shapes and red splotches in a lot of them.

“Wait a moment.” Kimberly said from behind. “Are those REAL crime fotos?”

“I killed Ms. Jones with a Steak knife in her jugular.” Will mumbled.

“What?” Greg’s voice sounded an octave higher than beforehand.

Will didn’t seem to have heard him. “Killing her was the easy part but her husband is still in their bedroom and her incessant screaming surely woke him up by now.”

“Oh. My. God!” Kimberly said. “Is this a confession?”

Freddie groaned. “Why – for god’s sake – did my most competent camera and soundman turn out to be omega and alphas in hiding?”

“I grab the knife tighter and walk up the stairs slowly. The only way outside is past me.” Will continued looking down at the table not reacting in the slightest. “I hear something move but once I’m upstairs it’s all quiet. He’s hiding somewhere…”

“Oh no, Mr. Jones!” Kimberly groaned. “Be careful!”

“Dear god Kimberly HE’S DEAD ALREADY!” Freddie berated her.

“I look under the bed.” Will continues. “But there is only dust waiting for me. I push away the dark curtains from the window but there is nothing. And then I can hear his breathing.”

Greg gasped audibly.

“I walk towards the closet, grip the handle and pull it open at once. Mr. Jones tries to jump me with a coat hanger but I push it aside easily, grab him by the throat and…”
Kimberly screamed and you could hear running footsteps. Will jumped at the sudden noise and rammed his knee into the table which made him wince in pain. The dogs noticing their master’s plight pushed Greg aside who - considering the camera movement - seemed to land painfully on his behind as they all tried to jump on Will’s lap to lick his face at once.

With the new angle of the camera you could see Freddie Lounds still with some cobwebs in her hair bury her face into her hands in quiet desperation.

From outside you could hear Alana Bloom’s loud laughter. “Trick or Treat!”

WillibalGrater: Oh my god this was amazing. What was the true horror in this episode supposed to be? Freddie and her room tour or the contestants?

AttaGirlChiyoh: I’m saying unpaid internships are the true horror here.

Mysterious_L: You get what you pay for.

Helljoy: Are you kidding, I would pay a million to get another episode with Kimberly and Greg. I’m starting a petition to throw out Chilton for them.

Bedelecter: Alana is a really pretty witch. And Bedelia as a bond villain, I mean… ;)

Hannigramm: I want to see Will in skimpy clothing.

Hannibal72384: I don’t think the show could afford that lawsuit.

SSA_SarahSunshine: Have you heard someone kidnapped Franklyn out of the hospital :O.

enbymurderhusbands: Finally!

Chapter Text

“So you are the infamous Dr. Lecter?”

“An astute observation.” Hannibal’s voice was dry as the Sarah. “No wonder you managed to become police chief.”

Jack bared his teeth. “I hope you rein in your sharp tongue around your more… vulnerable patients, doctor.”

“Oh don’t worry.” Hannibal leaned back with a glass wine raised to his lips. “I serve a more palatable tongue to those with a weak stomach.”

Hannibal and Jack were starring at each other like two male lions meeting in the wild about to maul each other for new territory.

Or a mate, a small voice in Will’s head added. Then he thought about dating his father figure and shuddered. Abigail put a hand on his shoulder probably thinking Will was nervous because of the tense atmosphere that surrounded them since the producer’s had ushered both families into one room.

Hannibal had – of course – noticed. “Are you cold Will?”

“Wouldn’t be a surprise considering the icy glares thrown around here.” Will answered flippantly. “Jack you are aware we aren’t actually related and you don’t really have to defend my honor from potential suitors. I promise Hannibal won’t demand a dowry should we ever marry.”

“I doubt he could pay it anyway.” Hannibal whispered under his breath.

Will starred at him flabbergasted. Of course his boyfriend had always had a sharp-tongue but being so rude over someone’s monetary situation was out of character for him. “Hannibal… are you jealous?”

Hannibal blinked at him in surprise than frowned for a few seconds as if to look into himself to consider his feelings. Then he shrugged and answered simply. “Yes.”

Will was taken aback. “Why?”

He was sitting right next to Hannibal which made it easy for his boyfriend to lean to his ear and whisper in a suggestive tone. “You are something to be jealous of Will Graham.”

Will blushed and pushed Hannibal back. “Stop that nonsense!”

“Were I a dragon I would guard you in the highest and most luxurious tower so no-one could ever steal you from me.”

Will couldn’t help but smile. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“If you were a diamond I would wear you in a necklace over my heart and never take it off again.”

“So now I’m a rock?” Will raised an eyebrow trying to hide how flattered he felt.

“A very, pretty rock.” Hannibal agreed and kissed him on the cheek. Then he kissed his brow, his neck…

Jack cleared his throat and Will jerked away from Hannibal - having nearly forgotten their families were in the room. Hannibal sighed as if getting caught snogging like teenagers was just an inconvenience for him.

“I hope,” Jack started stressing every word. “That your jealous guarding of Will won’t extend to keeping him from his job.” He gave Will a meaningful glance. “There are many abusive alphas out there who don’t allow their mates to work at all and I don’t want that for Will.”

“I would never keep Will from a job that he loves and that fulfills him.” Hannibal answered earnestly. He leaned forward putting his glass of wine on the table in between him and Jack. “That should surely mean you don’t have anything to worry about,” Hannibal’s lips twisted into a small smirk. “Do you?”

Jack stiffened. “Of course not.”

Hannibal’s smile widened. “Lovely.”

Abigail who had been biting her lip nervously during the whole conversation stepped in. “Is it true you adopted a cat, dad?”

Hannibal’s face lit up as he looked at her. “I did, you can come meet her once we’re done here.”

Abigail started fidgeting excitedly. “We’re going to have a cat when I’m home during holidays?”

“We’re going to have a cat and probably a whole pack of dogs if Will has anything to say about it.” Hannibal answered. “Although I’m drawing the line at adding any other animal kind to our home before it becomes a zoo.”

“I could keep my pack somewhere else…” Will started uncomfortably.

“Don’t be silly.” Hannibal answered. “I already bought the house next door so you we can keep the dog hair out of my kitchen.”

Will’s eyes widened. “You did WHAT?”

“Did I say that out loud?” Hannibal wondered and kissed the appalled look from Will’s face. “Forget I said anything.”

“Hannibal please tell me you didn’t…”

“I didn’t…” Hannibal immediately said and kissed Will again. “Don’t worry about it.”

“But…” Will started again and was interrupted by another kiss.

Jack seemed to get enough from the kissing and dropped the bomb: “And how are you going to handle the baby?”

If Will was sputtering before now he choked on his own spit and started violently coughing.

Jack ignored it. “You’ll have a child coming once you leave this show that are the rules. Are you going to make Will stay at home to watch it while you work?”

“Actually…” Hannibal answered while hitting Will on the back to help him get his breathing under control. “I always thought after being concentrated on my career for so long it would be nice to be a stay-at-home-dad for awhile.”

Chiyoh blinked at him. “Really?”

“I’ve been told I’m quite the good home-maker.” Hannibal answered taking another sip of wine. “I will provide Will and the baby with whoever they might be craving to eat.”

Jack frowned. “You mean whatever they are craving.”

“Of course.” Hannibal smiled a sphinx-like smile. “And if it gets too much, I’m sure Abby would love to babysit her little brother or sister, won’t you darling?”

Abigail smiled a bit shyly. “I guess a little sibling would be kind of cute.”

By now Will had finally stopped coughing and was able to take part in the conversation. “And what if I want to stay home?”

Abigail giggled. “I think dad’s money is enough to keep a roof over your head even if you’re both not working for the next few… centuries.”

Will blinked at Hannibal. “You’re not seriously that rich, are you?”

Hannibal just smiled.

“And PLEASE tell me you didn’t buy the house next door just to house my dogs.”

Hannibal continued smiling.

“HANNIBAL I SWEAR TO GOD!”

Pielover515: Don’t wanna lie: Will’s boss is kind of an ass.

DaringD: Seriously what does he have against Hannibal? He’s like the dream alpha

LadyNyx6: Clearly he just doesn’t want to lose his work-slave to use and abuse. Have you read all the news articles about cases Will solved on his own? He’d probably be suffering from burn-out if he hadn’t been pulled into the show

UmbrellaDelicate: Fuck Captialism

Hannibal72384: At least he has Hannibal now. And his dogs.

Hannigramm: And don’t forget the house for the dogs.

Hannibal72384: OMG, the house for the dogs!!!

El_Escritor_Celoso_97: Hannibal has literal fuck you-money

sootghoul: The puppies are worth it <3.

El_Escritor_Celoso_97: Definitely.

Chapter Text

“I’m starting to understand why you kept your designation a secret.” Jack sounded resigned.

“Took you long enough.” Will grumbled.

“Is it always like that here?”

“Don’t you watch the show?”

“Dear god no!” Jack looked at Will as if he had gone insane and Will couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Yeah, it’s always like that.”

Hannibal put his arm around Will’s shoulder and pulled him in to whisper in his ear. “Don’t worry, you have me to keep you sane.”

Will turned his head to press a kiss to Hannibal’s cheek. “Be careful, you have a daughter to protect now as well.”

“How exemplary of you to think of the most vulnerable part of our family first.” Hannibal said. “But I don’t think Abigail will need much protection from either of us. She seems to rather enjoy herself.” And then he whispered something under his breath that Will swore sounded like: “Uncultured youth!”

All contestants together with their guests were standing in front of a series of big monitors which showed bright figures moving up and down. In front of the monitors were brightly colored dancing mats. The music was turned down so far but you could still hear its low tone under Freddy’s speech.

“Did you think just because we have visitors we would stop with our competitions?” Freddy was just asking as Will started listening to him.

“We had hope.” Will heard Bedelia mumble.

“Of course we will continue our show for our dear viewers.” Freddie continued. “And even better we can let the families of our competitors have part in our fun.”

“Fun…” Jack repeated in a doubtful tone and Will felt the corner of his mouth twitch. Sometimes he forgot how nice it could be to be around Jack while he hadn’t have the blinkers of the hunt for a killer on that blinded him to anything else.

Freddie pointed to the monitors in front of the contestants. “I’m sure you can all imagine what you will be doing today.” A groan could be heard throughout the row of people and Freddie started talking even louder to drown them out. “Unfortunately the game can only be played with two people at a time. Therefore we will make this competition a knockout game: It will start with each love pair competing against each other. The winner will compete against the members of the families until the best is determined then the different winners will compete against each other.”

She fell silent and everyone continued to stare at her. She sighed and started to wave her hands. “Well go on!”

Will turned to Hannibal. “Well at least you are a good dancer.”

“This…” Hannibal pointed at the monitor proudly declaring ‘Let’s dance’. “Is not dancing!”

Abigail gave him an unimpressed look with her arms crossed in front of her chest. “You’re such an old man sometimes!”

“Be careful, I can still ground you!”

Abigail rolled her eyes. “Sure papa.” She took his hand in her left and then Will’s in her right and pulled them towards the dancing mat. “Come on, I will choose the song.”

Will sighed and stepped in front of the game. “I don’t know why we are even doing this with Hannibal and I it’s obvious who is going to win.”

“I’d guess you’re doing this because Freddie clearly got an advertising deal with ‘Just dance’.” Jack answered with an amused smile.

“What wonderful deducing ability for a detective.” Hannibal grumbled.

“Come on this is fun.” Abigail used the remote control to choose the music and suddenly the beginning of ‘Cannibal – Kesha’ (according to the monitor) started playing. Hannibal glared at his daughter probably because the music was quite far away from the classical style he preferred. Still Hannibal started moving as gracefully as always and somehow managed to hit every single cue. Meanwhile Will stumbled from one point to the next and nearly tripped over his own feet.

“You’re both doing great!” Abigail shouted encouragingly.

“In what world am I doing great?” Will asked as he stepped left instead of right as indicated.

“Maybe in one where left and right are switched around?” Chiyoh suggested.

“Oh shut up, you’ll have to do this after me.”

Chiyoh laughed. “I’ve been a nanny for years, you don’t honestly think I haven’t done this several times already.”

The song drew to a close and Will slowly started to get a feeling for the rhythm. At least he did until there was suddenly a foot where his foot was supposed to be and Will fell forward into Hannibal’s arms. Hannibal caught him in a graceful dip that definitely didn’t fit the music.

Will first squeaked in surprise and then started laughing. “Idiot, you did that intentionally!”

Hannibal smiled down at him. “I just couldn’t resist the feeling of you in my arms anymore.”

A beeping announced the end of the song and the score was showed on the monitor which was ludicrously in Hannibal’s favor. Will extracted himself from Hannibal’s arms and pressed a sort kiss on his cheek. “Congratulations darling, good luck in the next round.” And he turned around and left Hannibal on the mat.

Abigail squeaked in happiness as she replaced Will and started the song: ‘Kives Out – Radiohead’.

Will left them to it and looked down the line of contestants. Bedelia had beaten Anthony but looked about as happy about it as Hannibal did. Brian was sitting on his dancing mat clearly on strike. Jimmy looked down at him in bemusement but tried his best at dancing. Alana was grinning over to her mother who she was dancing against. Alana’s mother saw him looking and smiled at him. Alana’s parents had always liked Will he was pretty sure they had been hoping that they would get together at some point but in the end they were happy for them as friends. Margot was already off the matt and… her brother was whispering to her in hushed tones. Margot’s face could have been made of granite as she listened.

Will carefully strolled closer to them managing to get far enough in hearing range to make out:”This night I’ll prove to you again who you belong to, understood dear sister?” Mason looked up seeing Will approaching and pushed Margot away harshly, giving her a last, warning glare and flouncing away.

“You’re alright?” Will asked Margot in a low voice.

She tried to look unaffected but he could see her hands shaking. “Tonight.” She whispered.

“Don’t worry.” Will told her. “I won’t let him get to you.”

Will held the pistol with a noise suppressor in both of his hands as he watched Margot’s door. He had been hidden in her room in the dark behind a curtain for an hour so far and nothing happened but knew it wouldn’t be so calm forever.

“Maybe he isn’t coming.” Margot was sitting on her bed, back straight and legs crossed. Will couldn’t see her face in the dark but her voice betrayed her nervousness. “Maybe your police friend will hold him off.”

“Jack won’t know what he is looking for.” Will answered calmly. “I only told him that you got a threatening letter, he will probably stop some of Mason’s henchmen but not Mason himself.”

“As planned.” Hannibal added calmly from where he was hiding in a corner of the room.

“Yes.” Margot agreed in a low voice. “As planned.”

And it got silent again. Nothing happened for several minutes. It was hard to keep a track of time the seconds seemed to stretch into hours. Will heard the shout of an owl outside. The moon shown through the window. Something rustled behind him.

And then… steps outside the door. For a few seconds it was silent then the door opened and Mason Verger stepped in. He switched the light on and Will could make him out behind the curtain - a looming the sudden blinding light. Behind him a single, hulking giant of a man followed him, more than twice as big as Mason himself. “Hello sister.”

“Hello Mason.” Margot answered in a blasé tone.

“You don’t sound very happy to see me.” Mason asserted. “Apparently you aren’t as stupid as you look.” He took several fast steps closer to Margot and suddenly he was in front of her holding her chin in a tight grip. “Didn’t you learn your lesson last time when you started fucking that mutt of an omega? Wasn’t I strict enough? Admittedly that alpha woman is a clear improvement but I won’t suffer some no-name career bitch in our family either.”

Something twitched in Margot’s face and she looked up at Mason with pure hate in her face. “Alana is worth a hundred times of you.”

Mason slapped her across the face hard enough that she fell back on her bed. He raised his hand again to grab his sister.

“Step away from her!” Will pushed the curtain aside his pistol aiming at Mason.

Mason turned to him with a bemused expression. “Oh, look at that: the mutt has returned.”

Will’s grip of the pistol was completely steady. “I said: Step away from Margot!”

“Or what?” Mason mocked. “You’re going to shoot me? You don’t have the guts!”

“You don’t know what I have!” Will growled. “You took my child from me!”

“That bastard should have never existed.” Mason spit. “I freed this world of a…”

Will shot.

Everything seemed to stay still for a second then a red flower started to bloom on the white shirt over the place where Mason’s heart was and he dropped to the ground. Dead.

Will starred at him, his ears ringing even though his pistol barely made a noise with its noise-canceling. Margot slowly sat up on her bed again looking down at her dead brother with astonishment.

Suddenly the bodyguard who had followed Mason let out a roar and stormed in the direction of Will. He only managed two steps before Hannibal got in his way and used his own momentum to let him loose his balance and force him to his knees. Will saw the flash of metal and the scalpel that Hannibal had pulled out of nowhere slashed over the bodyguards throat.

Will saw the hungry look in his boyfriends eyes as the blood splattered over the transparent overall he had chosen to wear this night.

Will blinked and suddenly saw Hannibal standing over the body of a young woman, the same hungry look as he slashed her windpipe open.

Will blinked again as Hannibal bent over a male pushing a needle in his arm.

Will blinked seeing Hannibal standing over a metal table cutting through flesh and bones.

Will blinked and saw one of Hannibal’s elaborate meals, he tasted the flesh… The flesh…

And

He

Knew.

“Will?” Will blinked again seeing Hannibal stepping closer to him with a worried look on his face. The Chesapeake Ripper reached toward Will. “Mylimasis, are you alright?”

Will pushed past him and ran.

Chapter Text

Hannibal Lecter was the Chesapeake Ripper.

Will had stumbled out of the building stumbling blindly along a path – any path that got him away. Away from that realization.

Hannibal was a monster.

The sound of the waves was becoming louder.

Of course he was a monster, how could Will ever believe someone as perfect as the façade of Hannibal Lecter could hold any positive feelings for him.

He fell to his knees into the sand of the beach his breath going far too fast.

“Will!”

Will was too exhausted to move away from the voice even though he knew he should.

“Mylimasis, breathe!”

Hannibal had lost the plastic overall at some point and Will was pretty sure he was ruining his expensive pants as he knelt into the sand next to Will and put a hand on his shoulder.

Will tried to push the hand off but the black spots dancing in front of his eyes weren’t making it very easy.

“Breathe in, one, two, three, breathe out.” Hannibal’s tone was soft but impossible to ignore. Slowly Will’s breathe evened out. “Everything will be fine, beloved. I know killing someone for the first time without the excuse of self-defense can be overwhelming…”

“You think this is about Mason?” Will interrupted him.

Hannibal frowned. “It… is not?”

“NO!” Will shouted. “Isn’t that obvious?”

“No?” Hannibal answered tentatively. “I’m sorry Will but being a psychiatrist doesn’t equal telepathic abilities on my part, what are you…?”

Will couldn’t deal with this right now. As he thought about this moment later on he realized he should have played dumb but in that very second he was too distraught to be clever about it. “You’re the Chesapeake Ripper!”

Hannibal froze his eyes widening. “Excuse me?”

“You’re the Chesapeake Ripper.” Will repeated his voice becoming weak. “I saw it. When you slit the bodyguard’s throat.”

For a few seconds Hannibal’s expression could have been made out of marble and Will was starting to wonder if the hands on his shoulder would move to his throat and squeeze. No witnesses to observe his murder.

Then Hannibal’s face lit up with a blinding smile. “You’re a marvel, beloved.”

“What?” Will felt water drop down his cheeks. He hadn’t been aware that he had started crying.

Hannibal caught a tear in his palm and raised it to his mouth to taste it. “Every moment I am in your presence I realize you are even more perfect than I thought. “

“Why?” Will whispered. “Why are you still pretending?”

“Pretending?” Hannibal asked.

“That I’m special.” Will answered. “That you like me. Keeping an eye on the police officer on the island makes sense but I figured you out, so why are you still acting like…” …you love me, he left unsaid.

Unfortunately Hannibal was observant. “You really believe I was pretending to love you? Darling, the moment I saw your nocturnal apparition bathed in the moon light like of another world I had fallen for you. The minute you challenged me instead of falling at my feet, the second your empathy, your sharp mind was turned towards me. I adore you, Will Graham!”

“You can’t.” Will said. He had been pretty sure as Hannibal first tried to seduce him that he was only pretending but a part of him had slowly started to wonder if Hannibal hadn’t been lying as he promised he loved him; now he was convinced Hannibal was playing some sort of mind game. “I’m an antisocial loner, with neither charm nor any possessions to speak of and far too many dogs.”

“That I already brought the house next door for.” Hannibal smiled as he put a hand on Will’s cheek and his thumb slowly stroked up and down his skin. It was calming.

Will was surprised by his own laugh. “So you did buy the stupid house. You never admitted to it.”

Hannibal smiled back. “I was thinking of buying one of the houses in the neighborhood anyway to give to Abigail once she finished her studies. If you want I’ll buy the whole neighborhood just for you.”

“You’re insane!” Will let out a sound in between a laugh and a gasp.

“Aren’t we all for the people we love?” Hannibal pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.

“What is happening now?” Will asked.

“Simple,” Hannibal explained. “I will help you out of this distasteful sand and to your room where I’ll tuck you in your in dog hair-covered bed. Afterwards I’ll help Margot to get rid of the evidence and once you wake up tomorrow everything will seem far less gloomy. And I’ll probably have to burn these trousers because nothing will ever get the sand out of them.”

“I could tell Jack.”

Hannibal laughed. “Tell him what? That you figured out that I’m the Chesapeake Ripper when you shot Mason Verger with Margot as a witness? Yes that sounds like a great idea.”

Will froze. “It was… self-defense?”

“Was it?” Hannibal asked. “Was it really? I think it was rather delightfully violent.”

“But…” Will didn’t know how to continue that sentence.

“You wouldn’t want to put poor Margot into an uncomfortable situation, would you?”

“You’re a serial killer.” Will said tonelessly. “I need to stop you.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s my job.”

“You should resign.”

Will huffed. “I wasn’t speaking literally.”

“The benefits of righteousness aren’t worth it, trust me.”

“If I don’t do anything the blood of your victims will be on my hands too.”

“Red suits you.”

“I’ll never be able to sleep through another night with the weight of my guilt.”

“You haven’t slept much before either, did you? Let me carry your burden for you.”

“You will hurt me.”

“I’ll fight to my dying breath to make sure you live a happy and fulfilled life. I’ll bring the stars from the sky just to make you smile”

“You can’t… love me.”

“I love you, Will.”

“You can’t.”

Hannibal leaned in closer his lips only millimeters away from Will’s. “I’ve been told I’m stubborn enough that there is nothing I couldn’t do if I set my mind to it.” Will felt the smile more than he saw it.

“Don’t hurt me.”

“Never.” Hannibal pressed their lips together and after a moment Will kissed him back. “I love you, Will Graham.”

Broinhha: Have you heard that Mason Verger apparently hasn’t been in his room at the Mating Island this morning?

BoneSoupMmm: Sure he hasn’t just ran off?

Calm2021Tangerine: Boulevard papers say his sister had gotten a threatening letter the day before, maybe someone isn’t happy with the family?

gabba_gabba: Considering their line of business I’d put my money on some PETA group or another. Those poor pigs.

Bedelecter: Veganism is the only answer!

WillibalGrater: Isn’t Mason accused of pedophilia in several cases?

AttaGirlChiyoh: Poor Margot, hopefully Alana will be able to console her.

Broinhha: First Franklyn then Mason, who`s next?

CR: Yes, who will be? :)

Chapter Text

“Hannibal, don’t you have the feeling that something is wrong?”

“Whatever do you mean, darling?” Hannibal barely looked up from the fairy lights he was hanging on the Christmas tree just so.

Will looked at his boyfriend working knowing that Hannibal would hiss like a wet cat if he saw the mess Will would make if he touched the decorations. “I mean I have the feeling it has barely been a few days since we celebrated Halloween.”

“Time gets away from the best of us.” Hannibal answered lightly. “Looking at the shops in autumn you would think Halloween and Christmas fall on the same day.”

“I mean yes.”Will admitted. “But I swear Easter has been only a few weeks ago as well. I mean what happened in the last supposed three-quarters of a year? It all fit in a single YouTube video. It wasn’t even a long video! Weren’t we supposed to go on a date at least every week?”

“You’re stressing the poor author.”

“What?”

Hannibal looked up with a cloudy eyes as if he just saw a fourth wall break down in front of him. “I didn’t say anything.” He put his hand on Will’s forehead. “Are you alright? Do you have a fever, mylimasis?“

Will pushed his hand away. “I’m fine. It’s just… am I supposed to angry at you that you’re a secret serial killer, or not? I do not understand this timeline!”

Hannibal corrected the placement of the fairy lights one last time and turned around to pull Will in his arms. He put his head on Will’s shoulder, his lips close to his ear and whispered. “Don’t be angry today, it’s Christmas.”

Will felt himself melt. “Fine. You should be happy that I love you.”

“I was never happier about anything in my life.” Hannibal turned his head to kiss Will on the lips.

“Oi, lovebirds.” Bedelia’s voice interrupted them. “You’re supposed to make the tree red not your boyfriends lips.”

Hannibal straightened himself with an expression of indignation. “There will be no red decoration on OUR tree. WE…” He took Will’s hand in his. “…have better taste than to do something as tawdry.”

Alana laughed. “You mean YOU have better taste than that WILL once decorated his Christmas tree with a singing fish piece.”

Hannibal looked at Will in absolute horror and Will could only try to hide his smile while he shrugged. “It was a present.”

“By who?” Hannibal screeched. “The devil himself?”

“Well, only if the devil wears Prada.” Will answered and pointed at Alana. “It was a present from her.”

If looks could kill Hannibal would be in jail for first-degree murder of a colleague by now. “ALANA how could you?”

Alana rolled his eyes. “It was funny and brought some color in his desolate house. Lighten up.”

“Oi!” Chilton shouted from the door to the giant hall they were standing in. “Less talking more decorating. Remember you have to have the perfect tree to win this challenge.”

“Oh yes, the ever important challenge.” Alana rolled her eyes again. “How would we survive not winning this week?”

“Especially considering Hannibal is going to win anyway.” Antony grumbled next to Bedelia.

“Come on guys.” Will said lightly. “It’s for charity.”

Freddie had organized a Christmas Challenge in which every couple would decorate a Christmas tree in the main hall of an orphanage. While Will had never been especially invested in decorating his own house it was mainly because he hadn’t had anyone to celebrate with since a very young age. The idea he could spare these children the same fate was admittedly charming even if Freddie only did it for publicities sake.

Especially since it was the first tree he was decorating with his boyfriend.

Hannibal leaned over to kiss Will again. “Don’t worry darling, our tree will be the best these children could ever wish for.”

“You two are disgustingly cute!” Bedelia complained.

“I can’t help that my partner is the perfect man.” Hannibal answered over his shoulder and Will couldn’t help but blush.

“Thank you, I’m quite happy with mine.” Bedelia took Antony’s hand in hers prompting him to smile happily.

“Please continue decorating.” Chilton sounded impatient.

“Shut it or I’ll find a puppy to lick your face.” Will shot back.

Chilton scoffed but turned his back to them.

“Well time to get back to work.” Alana said to Margot and then raised her voice to add. “Because I have the perfect plan to finally beat Hannibal in this challenge.”

Margot raised an eyebrow, amusement showing on her face. “Oh? What is your plan?”

Alana showed her a small box on the table which she opened and revealed:

“Sweets?” Will asked.

“Exactly.” Alana agreed. “I will hang these on the lower branches of the tree and since the children will vote on which tree is the best I will definitely win!”

“What a dastardly plan!” Will exclaimed in fake horror.

“Cheap tricks will never replace true beauty!” Hannibal scoffed.

“I think you’re just grumpy because you’re going to lose today.”

“You think I care about a silly TV show challenge?”

“I think you are the sorest looser I ever met.” Alana shot back.

“You’re cheating anyway.”

“CHEATING?”

Will walked to Margot and whispered. “Maybe we should go for a while and find the kitchen. I think this will get heated.”

Margot gave a wordless nod and they snuck out. If they ended up drinking hot chocolate with a bunch of orphaned children Will would never admit to it.

Hannigramm: Do you want to see a picture of Will and Margot drinking hot chocolate with a bunch of orphans?

Hannibal72384: How do you always get these pictures?

Hannigramm: Wouldn’t you like to know?

Hannigramm: You know what? Instead of making my next fancut for Mating Island I will instead research YOU. Whoever you are, wherever you live I WILL come and I WILL find you.

Mysterious_L: The love story evolves into the next step.

Helljoy: Hannibal and Alana having a battle for the nicest Christmas tree is hilarious

SSA_SarahSunshine: The nicest Christmas tree judged by children, don’t forget the most important part.

enbymurderhusbands: Is it just me or was Matthew and Randall’s tree actually the best? It was so… homely.

Pielover515: I guess Hannibal’s tree is an acquired taste. In contrast to Hannibal himself ;)

Chapter Text

After Mason had vanished from the island without a trace Jack had been joined by the rest of the nearby police force and a few extra officers (the island had little crime so their police force was sized appropriately). Every candidate, family member and part of the film crew was questioned. Nobody found anything. Will wasn’t surprised. The Chesapeake Ripper was hardly an amateur.

After a day of fruitless research it didn’t surprise Will either that Jack came to him for help.

Will was sitting on the beach surrounded by his small pack of dogs and starring at the sea as Jack stepped next to him. “You are aware I’m not allowed to continue working while I’m here Jack, right?”

Jack sighed and sat down into the sand next to him. You could say a lot about Jack but he had always been ready to get his suit dirty to get the job done. “A man is dead, Will. Kidnapped or dead, I know you won’t just let that stand.”

“There is no proof of that.” Will responded, the scene of him shooting Mason in the end going on repeat in front of his eyes as he starred at the waves. “He is a businessman born into his position that can come with a lot of pressure starting in childhood. Maybe he ran away or maybe it was too much and he killed himself.” A good hypothetical for any person being born into Mason’s position with any kind of conscience. Mason Verger didn’t have a conscience Mason Verger was a sadist throughout.

Unfortunately Jack wasn’t an idiot either. “You don’t actually believe that, do you?”

“No.” Will sighed. “But there isn’t really much to work with here. No message – from Mason or a potential killer or kidnapper – no crime scene, no blood. I’m not a psychic Jack, I need something to work with.”

“You know his sister, don’t you?” Jack asked. “Maybe she killed him to get hold of the business?”

“No.” Will shook his head. “The Vergers are a bunch of sexist pigs no omega is allowed to inherit any part of the business. Unless Margot is pregnant and already knows the designation of her child it wouldn’t bring her any money.”

But if you fear for your live money suddenly becomes a whole lot less important. Especially since Margot would be more than able to make enough money with the advertisement deals she’d get after she left the island that she could continue her lavish lifestyle.

Jack sighed. “I expected as much but I needed to ask. I also wanted to say goodbye without any watching eyes.”

“Oh.” At last Will looked away from the blue of the sea and turned to Jack. “You’re going already?”

“This show has a lot of publicity.” Jack answered. “More than even the Verger family, no matter how much they’d like to deny that fact. The people high in the hierarchy are breathing me down the neck to leave as soon as possible and well…” He winkled his nose. “Mason Verger was a terrible man and no one will cry after him. I prefer not wasting more time on him that I could use for someone more in need of it.”

“Aren’t you also here as a family member?”

“Yes but those have also been asked to leave.” Jack gave him a half-smile. “Probably afraid anyone else of us going missing. Although I think Lounds is missing out on a perfect murder mystery-story line in her show.”

Will’s lips twitched in an attempt of a smile. “I fear it’s a family friendly show.”

Jack shrugged. “There are enough child detective stories. Just have to make it out correctly.”

“Yeah but those usually have a happy ending.” Will answered. “In contrast to what happens in reality in my experience.”

“I don’t know…” Jack stood up and clapped the sand off his coat. “I think in your years in the police force you brought a hell of a lot people a happy ending, Will.” He smiled down at him. “I can’t wait until you come back to us and you can continue with that. It was nice seeing you again Will.” And he walked off.

Winston felt his owner’s sad mood and came running with a small wooden log he had found on the beach somewhere. He dropped it in Will’s lap who looked down with a small smile. “Wanna play fetch?” He asked.

Winston yelped in agreement.

“Alright then.” Will stroked out and threw the log as far as he could. Most of his pack jumped up and started running after.

“They look like very good dogs.”

Will jumped up at the sudden new voice and faced Abigail.

“Oh sorry,” She rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Silent footsteps run in the family, don’t they?” Will tried to lighten the mood. “Hannibal does it all the time too.” Then he remembered why Hannibal was so silent on his feet and his smile fell.

Abigail frowned with concern. “Are you and dad… okay?”

By now Winston had returned with the log and Will had a little time before he needed to answer as he threw it again. Afterwards he turned with a forced smile. “Yeah, we’re fine. I just recently found out something about your dad and it made be a bit mad. We talked about it so don’t worry. Everything is fine.”

“Oh.” Abigail looked past Will at the waves behind him. “So you found out that dad is a serial killer.”

“What?” Will took a step back in shock and nearly stumbled over princess the dog behind him.

“You thought I didn’t know?” Abigail laughed. “Oh please, I grew up under two serial killer fathers this isn’t my first rodeo.”

“But…” Will stuttered. “You are…”

Abigail raised an eyebrow. “A child? A woman? White? What is it on me that makes me incapable to life with a serial killer?”

Will frowns. “Nice. You are nice.”

Abigail chuckled in surprise. “Isn’t dad nice too?”

“No, you’re father is an incredible prick!” Will answered without thinking.

Abigail threw her head back and laughed out loud. “Oh that’s incredible. Normally people fall badly for his human-mask.”

“How do you deal with it?”

“What, dad being a dick?” Abigail teased.

“Language!” Will automatically corrected.

“Oh no,” Abigail groaned. “Do I have two parents smothering me now? Ugh, are you really sure you wanna date my serial killer-dad?” She saw Will’s face and patted his shoulder. “Hey I’m only joking. You’re good for him and I want dad to be happy so I’ll do my best to answer your questions.”

“You love him even though he kills people?” Will asked.

“Loads of parents kill people.” Abigail shrugged. “Soldiers, police men, hell most of America is based on the blood of the developing world, why you think your shirts are so cheap? And you eat meat right?”

“Yeah,” Will shrugged. “But humans as most animals usually don’t attack their own kind without reason.”

“Dad always has reasons.” Abigail disagreed. “They are rude, they are beneath him, they aren’t worth the air they breathe.”

“Not really good reasons.”

“Aren’t they?” Abigail shrugged. “How do you say what a good reason is to kill someone? Who has the right to decide?” Will didn’t know how to respond to that. “I guess the real reason I don’t mind dad so much is…” Abigail looked back at the sea with a frown. “Because I also killed and the hunt was just… exhilarating. Did you ever feel like that before?”

“Yeah,” Will followed her gaze into the sea. “On a few cases. Also when I killed Mason.”

Abigail didn’t seem surprised by his confession. “Makes you understand dad better, doesn’t it?”

“I guess.”

For a while they just stood there then Abigail shivered. “I guess I better head back before they think I also went missing. It was nice talking to you Will. I hope you’ll join our family soon.” She took a few steps and turned back again. “You know, I am surprised you had no questions about the whole Cannibalism-thing.”

“Wait…” Will frowned. “CANNIBALISM?”

DaringD: Apparently the police is finally being pulled off the island, the program will resume soon.

LadyNyx6: Finally, I’m having withdrawal symptoms already! Did they find that Mason jar-guy?

UmbrellaDelicate: No but I honestly don’t especially care about the poor millionaire alpha.

Hannigramm: Yeah let’s all care more about the sexy millionaire alpha on the island dating the sexy detective #Hannigrammforever

Hannibal72384: Far nicer thing to care about I admit

El_Escritor_Celoso_97: I have read that the family of the contestants will have left as well once the new episodes begin. Sad, I will miss little Abigail, she was so cute with her new father

sootghoul: Just wait a few more months and you’ll see the happy family sitting in their home in the Boulevard papers. I bet it won’t be long until Will gets preggo

Broinhha: Don’t say that I don’t even know if I’ll keep watching once Hannibal’s gone . Watcher engagement will drop for sure.

BoneSoupMmm: I wonder how Freddie feels about that.

Chapter Text

Three days after Mason Verger’s disappearance all contestants were asked once again to meet at the big swimming pool in the middle of the mansion. In contrast to the last time they met there they weren’t separated in alphas and omegas instead standing however they chose to. Which meant Hannibal was standing next to Will desperately trying to get a reaction out of him while the omega resolutely ignored him. Meanwhile their friends were standing around them and watched with amusement.

“Trouble in paradise?” Bedelia commented.

Hannibal sighed. “I might have done something to slightly… aggravate Will.”

“SOMETHING?” Will finally broke the silence. “You did not just do something! When were you going to tell me?”

“I just considered it too early in our relationship to tell you already.” Hannibal tried to appease him.

“I’ve already met your family!” Will shouted. “How far into our relationship were we going to get before you told me? Once I was pregnant? Would you slip it in while talking about my dietary needs?”

Hannibal took a moment seemingly honestly considering the question.

“Hannibal, telling your partner something only once he can’t reasonably run away anymore is not proper relationship communication!”

“But otherwise you might run away.” Hannibal whined.

“Dear god, you’re not five stop acting like I’m your favorite toy about to be taken away.”

Bedelia smirked. “Wow, he has you completely figured out, hasn’t he? Can’t remember seeing you so taken aback since that time in Prague last winter.”

Will rolled his eyes. “Oh, there’s something else he didn’t tell me about.”

Now Hannibal raised an eyebrow. “Oh? I wasn’t aware you would be so interested in a seasonal assembly of psychologists. Since you want to know more about it so desperately how about I just give you a detailed insight…”

“Considering it’s you, you’d probably perfectly describe the building you were in while forgetting about the serial killer you had as a guest speaker.” Will snarked back.

Alana shrugged. “That actually sounds far more interesting than what actually happened. In reality Hannibal was the guest speaker.” Which of course unbeknown to her meant a serial killer HAD been the guest speaker – dear god, Will had been joking! How was this becoming his life?

Hannibal ignored her. “Will, mylimasis, what do I have to do to make you forgive me?”

Will looked down at him. “Grovel a whole lot more!” His eyes softened a bit. “Also I know what mylimasis means now. I guess there was at least one nice thing you kept from me.”

Hannibal took his hand to kiss it and Will didn’t pull it back.

“Dear god, you two are disgustingly sweet.” Alana fake-gagged.

Suddenly the loud noise of a microphone interrupted them. Freddie had appeared opposite the contestants at the pool in another tight-fitting black dress and with a big smile. “Hello again, dear watchers and of course my lovely contestants.” She waited for a reaction for three seconds but continued talking as she was only met by silence. “I apologize once again for the delay in filming caused by the tragic events a few days ago but we are back again and these next few weeks will be better than ever before.”

Will was starting to get a bad feeling from her tone. Something was off and he swore Freddie’s eyes were resting solely on him and Hannibal.

Freddie continued. “In the last weeks we have directed many happy couples into finding each other which means most of you aren’t even searching a partner anymore. This of course let to our games becoming quite… harmoniously.” Her lips twisted in distaste - Will presumed harmony was bad for the ratings. “To bring a bit excitement back into the next games and into your relationships I decided to do a month under a new motto.”

Freddie raised her hands up and a big poster fell from the veranda behind her revealing in cheerfully colorful letters the words. “Are they really the right one for you?”

“What…” Margot mumbled. “…the fuck?”

Will could only silently agree.

Freddie spoke louder to drown out the nervous whispers. “In the next month we will not concentrate on candidates finding each other since you already managed that but instead on finding out if your chosen partner is actually the right one for you.”

“Oi!” Brian shouted. “That’s not on you to decide, Bitch!”

Freddie pointedly ignored him. “This month we will divide the existing pairings and for every game we will instead pair you with someone who will fit your characters according to the character profile that we made as you came to the island. I’m sure you’re all going to have a lot of fun getting to know new people and if nothing else I’m sure you’ll find some new friends along the way. Who knows maybe even more.” Now Will was sure her eyes were resting on Hannibal with a malicious glint.

Hannibal had gone dangerously still. Will put his hand on his boyfriend’s arm without looking away from Freddie and let it slide down until he could interlock his fingers with Hannibal’s.

“I will now announce the new pairings for the next game.” Freddie pronounced. “We will start with the fan favorite as always: Hannibal dear, we thought we would give you another chance with dear Margot. You were so cute together while going out riding.”

Margot raised an eyebrow. “You mean while he completely ignored me and flirted the entire ride with Will?”

Freddie started stammering a bit. “And you were a beautiful dancing couple.”

“When I left him for Alana,” Margot asked. “And he danced with Will in the rose garden?”

Freddie started talking louder. “And you even have a past…”

“That’s Will.” Margot answered. “Me and Will have a past. Not me and Hannibal.”

Freddie was nearly shouting now. “I’m sure you going to have fun! Next pair: Antony and Randall.”

While she was talking Hannibal leaned in closer to Will putting an arm around his waist. “I’m not letting them take you away.”

Will leaned up to whisper in his ear. “Hannibal, I stayed with you through your weird obsessive flirting, near stalking, stealing, murder and cannibalism. You don’t honestly think me spending time an hour with someone else will make me walk away, you idiot!”

He felt Hannibal’s frame relax around him. “Of course not, I apologize if I sounded overzealous.”

Will leaned back and gave him an incredulous look. “Dearest, you ARE overzealous. Overzealous,” He pushed his finger into Hannibal’s chest. “…possessive, annoying, stalkerish…”

Hannibal pressed his lips into Will’s to interrupt him and as he pulled back he smiled. “All of that and more only for you, beloved.”

“Once this stupid game is over you could cook something and we can eat in your room.”

“In my room, not yours?” Hannibal asked.

“If we eat in my room you need at least ten portions to keep the dogs satisfied.” Will answered. “And I don’t want to overtax you so early.”

Hannibal smirked. “Oh, do we have plans for the evening I need my energy for?”

“Maybe.” Will answered with a coy smile.

“Coming to Will Graham!” Freddie had raised her voice again – if she went on like that she would have a sore throat before the next game even began.

Will’s hand unintentionally started cutting the blood-circulation of Hannibal’s hand off. His boyfriend leaned over and whispered in his ear: “If they don’t behave I can kill them, I still need a good meal starter for our date.”

That startled a laugh out of Will.

“Will you will play the next game with Mathew. We think you two deserve another chance as well.”

Calm2021Tangerine: SHE DID NOT!

gabba_gabba: How could she do that to poor Hannibal? Look at his distraught face as he hugs Will closer, such an innocent soul! How can anyone try to rip them apart!

WillibalGrater: This is truly monstrous!

AttaGirlChiyoh: Let’s be honest Freddie just wants to rip Will and Hannibal apart so the show’s star doesn’t leave the island.

Hannibal72384: Hannigramm forever!

Hannigramm: I can’t believe I’m hearing that from you!

Hannibal72384: Shut it, I’m still onto you!

Mysterious_L: Have you heard what Will told Hannibal there? With that late date night all planning on Freddie’s part might be too late

Helljoy: Can’t wait to see their babies, their adorablessness will be apocalyptic.

Chapter Text

“You know why Freddie is doing this, aren’t you?” Beverly pushed another brush into Will’s face.

“Because she’s a bitch?” He grumbled and started regretting fleeing into the backstage before someone thought about forcing him into bodily contact with Matthew. He wasn’t sure if it was for his own sake or to protect Matthew’s life from Hannibal’s scorn.

“No.” Beverly scoffed and hit him on the nose with the brush. “I mean, she IS a bitch but she has done it because you were about to steal her golden goose.”

“Well,” Will mumbled. ”Trying to pluck Hannibal’s golden feathers might have more dire consequences than in the Grimm story.”

“Hot and well-read,” Beverly pointed out. “No wonder Hannibal has hired craftsmen to expand his prepare his house just for you.”

Will frowned. “How do you know he did that?”

Beverly pressed a finger to her lips. “I have my sources.”

“Sure,” Will looked at her suspiciously. “You always seem to know everything that is going on at this island. So do you have any idea on how to get out of this date?”

“Sorry, sweety, some miracles are too big even for me.” Beverly laughed. “But here is a funfact for someone who had only eyes for Hannibal Lecter since he put a foot on this island: Matthew and Randall Tier have been exclusively dating since Franklin nearly managed to burn down the kitchen.”

“Oh,” Will blinked. “I hadn’t realized.”

Beverly chuckled. “Yeah, you had your hands full with tall, dark and handsome.”

There was a knock on the door. “And there’s your cue.”

Will groaned. This would be a horror show.

Matthew looked awfully uncomfortable in his black suit under the bright sun. Even so Will noticed there was something else going on with him – the warmth of the day couldn’t explain the buckets the man was sweating.

To Will’s chagrin Chilton stood with the camera and tone crew among the sand. He was tapping his foot impatiently but since the sand dampened any sound it lost most of its effect. “Could you hurry it along?”

Will glared at him. “I don’t even know what I’m supposed to hurry along here. Why are we at the beach?”

“A Romantic walk along the beach and then we have a two fishing rods set up a bit further up.” Chilton explained impatiently.

Matthew wetted his lips. “I don’t fish.”

“I don’t do romantic walks.” Will added.

“I don’t care.” Chilton interrupted. “Chop chop, come on hold hands.”

Matthew slowly reached out with a hand then seemed to change his mind and held his arm out like an old-fashioned gentleman for Will to hook under.

“I said hold hands!” Chilton chided.

“I’d rather not…” Matthew hesitated.

Will put his hand on Matthew’s arm and leaned in a bit closer to whisper in his ear so the microphone couldn’t pick it up. “What is going on with you?”

As Matthew whispered back even more quiet. “I’m not pissing off the Chesapeake Ripper.”

Will’s mouth fell open and in his indignation he spoke louder than intended. “Did everyone know except me?”

“Know what?” Chilton asked.

“How horrible your tie looks.” Will responded quickly. “Let’s go Matthew!” He more or less pulled him along.

Matthew tried desperately to hold a respectful distance but Will couldn’t care less. He walked as fast as he could to get rid of the microphone and camera team who hurried to keep pace. “Relax, I’m not letting Hannibal hurt you if you tell me how you knew!”

Matthew shrugged nervously looking behind him where the crews hurried after them. “It takes one to know one.”

Will stopped walking. “You as well?”

“Would you stop running?!” Chilton shouted. “What is Matthew doing as well?”

“Wi… Will just found out Hannibal and I have the same hobby. “ Matthew stuttered.

“What hobby?” Chilton wanted to know.

“Cooking!” Matthew said at the same time as Will said. “Being an utter prick!”

“Seems like you have a type Will.” Chilton pointed out.

Matthew chuckled nervously. “I think rather a certain type seems to be attracted to Will.”

“Oh?” Will huffed. “And how does Randall fit into your TYPE? Does he know about your hobby?”

“Well he likes to… cook as well just like Hannibal and I.”

“ANOTHER ONE!” Will shouted outraged.

Chilton frowned. “You do know that a lot of people like to cook?”

“Yeah,” Matthew scratched the back of his head. “I actually thought you… shared our hobby as well.”

“NO!” Will shouted. “I never cooked once … I mean I cooked once but that was… self-defense...”

Chilton blinked. “You cooked… in self-defense?”

“Was it for Mason Verger?” Matthew interrupted him.

“I don’t see how that’s your business.” Will hissed.

Chilton seemed very confused. “How could anyone survive not having cooked for their entire life until they were in their thirties?”

Some of the darkness hidden under his skin seeped up into Matthew’s eyes. “I’m sure Margot Verger enjoyed that.”

Chilton raised an eyebrow. “I doubt either she or her brother enjoyed Will’s cooking if it was the first time he ever tried.”

Matthew smirked. “I’m sure Will was a natural at it.”

“Shut up!” Will shouted back. “I’m not a natural… cook!”

“I have never…” Chilton shook his head. “…met someone who hated cooking so much.”

“It takes one to know one!” Matthew repeated to Will ignoring Chilton again.

“I would mind my words if I were you!” Will answered with a forced calm. “Or I might try for some… closer intimacy on this date.”

Matthew jumped back. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“Please do!” Chilton disagreed. “We need at least some footage that isn’t a discussion about cooking.”

Will took a threatening step towards Matthew. “Maybe you’d see how a true natural cook behaves if I kiss you right here right now.”

“How…” Chilton looked in between them. “Does that make ANY sense?”

“Will, I’m not trying to hurt you Will.” Matthew seemed oddly calm. “But I think it will be best for you if you accept what you are instead of denying yourself.”

“Leave me alone!” Will turned around and started to stalk off.

“Hey!” Chilton grabbed Will’s arm to stop him. “We still have to film this date.”

Will ripped his arm out of his grip. “Or what? You will become a cook as well?” And he stomped away.

From further away he heard Chilton shout. “WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!”

SSA_SarahSunshine: Well this episode was as boring as expected. I mean Hannibal and Margot are nice as friends but didn’t really turn the TV on for that.

Pielover515: Yeah, most people just wanted to get back to their partners and the rest… we who wants to watch a bunch of cheaters?

enbymurderhusbands: I wonder why they showed to little of Will/Matthew? And why are they mostly talking about cooking?

DaringD: Will is probably missing dear Hannibal.

Hannigramm: Hannigramm forever!

Hannibal72384: I hacked into your facebook account, Hannigramm. I’m coming closer.

LadyNyx6: … do I even want to know?

Chapter Text

Will was pretty sure that the dozen film crew members outside his door were supposed to deter Hannibal from joining him for a romantic date night (considering Will had made the mistake to announce it in front of rolling cameras). He was also very sure it wouldn’t stop the Chesapeake ripper. He was proven right.

At one point Will stopped Lilly from eating the chocolate dipped strawberry he arranged in the attempt of a romantic display on the table and at the next he looked up to see Hannibal standing in front of him with a bottle of wine in the hand. Behind him Achilles the cat jumped of the back of Patroclus the dog – Will had already wondered where he had gone.

“Will,” Hannibal bent down to press a kiss to his lips. “What a beautiful display you made for me.”

Will rolled his eyes. “Yes you are allowed to give into your OCD and rearrange the entire thing. I know I’m shitty at this kind of thing.”

With a few hand movements Hannibal managed to make art of the sad cluster of chocolate strawberries while easily holding a conversation. “I wouldn’t be so hard to yourself. You have many other talents. Anyway,” He took one of the strawberries that didn’t seem to fit into his elaborate display and gracefully bit into it. “…while this wasn’t exactly a feast to the eyes it tastes good nonetheless.”

“Hannibal I need to talk to you!” Will interrupted abruptly.

The alpha raised an eyebrow. “An ominous start to a conversation.”

“Oh please, you know what ominous words are Hannibal?” Will scoffed. “How about ‘I’m the Chesapeake Ripper’?”

“Which is probably the reason I’ve never spoken them. You just assumed.” Hannibal replied easily opening his wine bottle. “Do you have something to decanter this wine?”

Will hit his boyfriend with a cushion. “I didn’t ASSUME, you asshole.”

“Guilty as charged. No matter I’ll find a pitcher myself.” Hannibal stood up and walked to the cupboards where Will kept his cutlery.

“You’re deflecting Hannibal.” Will pointed out. “Are you scared?”

Hannibal hesitated in his movements.

Will couldn’t help but chuckle. “Is the big, bad Ripper scared? From me?”

Hannibal slowly turned around a glass pitcher in hand. “I don’t want to kill you, Will.”

“Why would you need to kill me?” Will frowned.

“Because I’ll never be able accept it if you tried to break up with me.” Hannibal replied as if he was talking about the weather. “I’d rather consume you in every possible way than to lose you.”

“First,” Will raised a finger. “I don’t want to think about what it says about me that I find that kind of romantic. Second I’m not breaking up with you Hannibal. Why would you even think that? I took all afternoon to make horrible chocolate strawberries for you.”

Hannibal blinked. “You aren’t?”

“No you idiot! God, who knew psychopaths could be so insecure?” Will huffed. “Now decanter that wine or whatever you rich people do to alcohol and sit down! I already said that I need to talk to you.”

Hannibal obeyed just as elegantly as always but his eyes remained a bit more wide than usual. Finally he sat down opposite Will and intertwined his fingers in his lap. “I’m sorry for my rude presumptions Will. What did you want to talk to me about?”

“I don’t want to have a child.”

Whatever Hannibal had expected this wasn’t it. “Excuse me?”

“I don’t want to have a child because of this bullshit!” Will stood up his hands shaking in silent rage. “I don’t want my child to be born because of this horrible, sexist, suffocating show lead by the most terrible woman I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting just because our world is fucked!” Will kicked one of the table legs hard enough the piece of furniture wobbled dangerously. “If the only chance of alphas and omegas surviving is this… forced breeding plan than we deserve to go EXTINCT!”

At the end of his rant he stood there breathing hard shaking like a leaf in the wind. Hannibal slowly stood up and walked around the table to put his arms around him.

Hannibal pressed his lips against Will’s forehead. “I didn’t know how much this was burdening you.”

Will let out a half-choked sop. “Do you even know… what it means to be an omega in a society that considers you lesser? My mum and dad only had me because they were forced to and my mum left as soon as my umbilical cord was cut. She was only eighteen…”

“I’m not leaving.” Hannibal responded.

“I don’t care.” Will whispered. “Enough of this bullshit. I will make sure this season of Mating Island is the last this show and every show like it will ever have. Our child will be born because we want it and not because of any other reason. I promise.”

“What do you need me to do?” Hannibal whispered back.

“Just like that.” Will chuckled. “You hear me make an crazy speech and just give me a blank slate? I could demand something insane from you.”

“There is nothing so insane I wouldn’t do it for you, beloved.” Hannibal answered easily. “As long as it doesn’t endanger your health or our ability to be together I will take the stars from the sky.”

“Luckily I won’t be needing them.” Will looked up into his boyfriends eyes. “And there is something you wouldn’t do for me besides the conditions you named.”

Hannibal raised his eyebrow.

“You wouldn’t stop killing.”

“I would…” Hannibal started but Will interrupted.

“You might try.” He shrugged. “And you would fail. I have accepted that as I accepted you as the Chesapeake Ripper. And maybe it proves Matthew right, maybe this WILL make me more of a murderer – maybe I’m a natural murderer - but for the next weeks you are going to kill for ME!”

Hannibal’s eyes lit up and he pulled him into a passionate kiss. “I don’t think someone ever said something more romantic to me!”

“You are such…” Will emphasized the words with a little shove. “… a weirdo.”

“You might be the first one to describe the Chesapeake Ripper as such.”

“Weird,” Shove. “Arrogant,” Shove. “Stupid.” Shove. “And the next time Jack asks after a description of the Chesapeake Ripper I will give him those adjectives.”

“I hope you don’t leave out handsome.”

“Did I mention arrogant?” Will rolled his eyes. “I’ll underline it. Twice. And make it bold.”

Hannibal made a small little bow towards him. “And how is this arrogant man supposed to help you with your plan. Who am I to kill?”

“Oh you will like this.” Will smiled. “But first you have to deliver something to Brian for me.”

BoneSoupMmm: Do you think Hannibal made it into Will’s room? I doubt Freddie made it easy for him.

Calm2021Tangerine: Oh Will is a police man he’s surely… resourceful.

Hannigramm: You wanna see pictures of Will making chocolate strawberries for his hubby?

gabba_gabba: I’m not even surprised anymore.

Hannibal72384: And I managed to figure out what camera you use by the small mistakes you can find in the pixilation.

WillibalGrater: The comments are turning into a crime show and I am here for it!

Hannibal72384: Enjoy your fun as long you can Hannigramm, soon we will be needing you.

Chapter Text

It didn’t surprise Will when they were asked the next day to get into the same position at the pool they had been only twenty-four hours before. Freddie was standing underneath her “Are they really the right one for you?”-poster again but seemed a lot less self-assured then before. A make-up artist was powdering her nose while Freddie argued quietly over her shoulder with Chilton.

Will used the distraction to sneak over to where Brian and Jimmy stood. Jimmy noticed him first. “Hey Will. Are you wondering about if we’re already changing our new partners as well? The last time must have gone really bad if we’re already back here usually they give us at least a week to figure out if we’re compatible.”

Will shrugged. “I doubt any of us will enjoy it either way.” He turned to Brian. “Did you find my present?”

The following grimace on Brian’s face told Will everything he needed to know. “That was you?”

Will raised an eyebrow. “I take it I was right?”

Brian didn’t seem happy “How is that any of your bloody business!”

“Listen, I have a plan to make a lot of problems for this show and Freddie Lounds.” Will hurried to explain before Freddie would start talking. “I just need a distraction for as long as you can manage right now!”

Brian bit his lip. “And Freddie will be in trouble?”

Will nodded. “I guarantee.”

Jimmy looked in between them. “I have the feeling I’m missing something.”

Will put his hand on Jimmy’s shoulder. “Congratulations!”

“Wha…”

“MY DEAR CONTESTANTS!” Freddie’s loud voice reached over the swimming pool.

“I have to go.” Will snuck back as inconspicuously as possible. As he reached Hannibal he leaned over and pressed a kiss into his cheek to secretly whisper in his ear. “I was right. Brian will help.”

Hannibal smiled and kissed Will on the mouth. “I never doubted you.”

Freddie continued talking in the background. “The dates yesterday weren’t quite… up to the usual standard as my producers took a great trouble in telling me. To make it up to all of you we put a lot of effort into giving you a new chance with new and better pairings. Let’s start with…”

“I HAVE SOMETHING TO ANNOUNCE!” Brian shouted. He had moved from his place in the crowd unto one of the tables standing a bit away from the pool.

Freddie starred at him completely bewildered. “What the hell are you doing Brian?”

Will slowly started receded from the crowd and saw Hannibal moving in the other direction.

“WELL YOU’RE GOING TO BE HAPPY BITCH BECAUSE SOON I’LL HAVE TO BEEP MY OWN SWEAR WORDS!”

Freddie sighed. “Brian, get down there!”

Brian ignored her. “AND I’LL FINALLY BE AWAY FROM THIS SHITHOLE!”

Bedelia looked at him in bemusement. “Maybe you could take the rest of us along.”

“BECAUSE I…” Brian made a dramatic pause. “AM PREGNANT!”

All eyes and cameras were directed on him. Will turned around and ran.

Chilton’s office was located in the first level of the employee building not far away from the contestant’s mansion. It was easy for Will to crack the lock with a lock pick and seconds later he was in. The office was decorated as pompously as possible with a giant work desk located in front of a window with sea view. Important sounding books that looked as if they had never been opened were standing in the bookshelves and on the walls hung several awards. As Will took a closer look he saw them advertise a few psychological achievements and – dear god – there were two Guiness book world records. “Most watched psychiatrist on TV” and “Most fan letters in a month to a psychiatrist in a reality TV show” – how was that worth an award of any kind?

Will forced himself to ignore the ridiculously surrounding him and walked to the laptop on the desk. He sat down in the giant leather chair that made Chilton probably look like one of Snowhite’s dwarves and started the PC up.

“Password?” The machine asked.

Will cursed under his breath but he had honestly expected that. No matter his faults Chilton was still a university-educated man under sixty he’d be intelligent enough to password protect his work.

Crossing his fingers Will started with the classics: “123456”, “password”, “123456789”, “111111” and just because he wasn’t quite sure Chilton wasn’t the devil he tried “666”. Sadly none of it worked.

Will started looking around the room for a clue. He tried the date of the psychology diploma on the wall as well as Chilton’s birthday. Nothing. The title and name of the author of the only book in the room that seemed remotely read (Fifty shades of Gray from E. L. James). Nothing. Will cursed under his breath he didn’t have a lot of time before Brian’s diversion would stop working.

He opened the top drawer of the desk and started searching. At the first he saw several pages of the script of a book with Chilton’s name as author. “The psychology of senior alpha and omega mating” Dear god, did Chilton only work in the show to publish a book about it? Who would read that trash?

He moved the book aside and saw a small piece of paper with several obscure word-combination on it and it was titled… passwords. Will let his head fall in his hands and groaned. He had apparently given Chilton too much credit.

The first password on the paper “NobelPrize123” worked and finally Will got into the laptop. On the desktop were mostly inconspicuous icons. Will took a guess and clicked on “work”: Several icons appeared again and clicking on “candidates” only showed the psychological review of all the contestants. Luckily he had more luck going to “book material” and then to “videos”. The amount of clips of the contestants (especially himself and Hannibal)were incredible and Will hoped he would have time enough for what he was here for. He got out an extern hard drive, connected it to the laptop and started the download. Then he left the room and went to find Freddie’s room.

Will just arrived back to Brian getting forced down the table by several bodyguards and doctors who treated him as careful as if he was made of glass and Freddie shaking her head. “Such good TV!” You could hear her mumble over her microphone. “And we can’t publish half of it because of all the cursing.”

Hannibal had already returned as Will arrived and put his arm around his waist and whispered in his ear. “Did it go well?”

“Yes,” Will nodded. “And with you?”

“All did go as planned.” Hannibal put a kiss at the top of Will’s head. “Freddie Lounds won’t know what hit her.”

AttaGirlChiyoh: That must have been the most dramatic pregnancy reveal on this show.

Mysterious_L: And I don’t even think it was planned by Freddie. I guess sometimes the producers just get lucky.

Helljoy: I mean the show is made in a way that puts the contestants under a lot of pressure so that they emotionally explode at some point.

SSA_SarahSunshine: You think we’re going to lose someone else soon?

enbymurderhusbands: I mean remember the chocolate strawberry Will-Hannibal incidence yesterday ;)

Pielover515: Noooo, I don’t want to lose Hannibal :(

CV: I think soon they’ll lose a lot more than one or two contestants

DaringD: …Like are you saying that they had an orgy?

Chapter Text

After the pregnancy disaster in the morning Freddie thankfully decided to give the contestants a bit of a respite and not pairing them up again (maybe she needed to think about new pairings with both Brian and Jimmy gone). Alana invited Will and Hannibal to go out riding again with Margot and her.

Will intentionally arrived a bit earlier to talk to Peter Bernardone again. The man seemed as happy about seeing again as a man who only knew how to express love to animals could.

They had a little small talk but soon Will got to the actual reason he was here. “Did you ever think about quitting?”

Peter raised his head far enough to look at Will’s in surprise before looking down at the little bird in his hand again. “Freddie won’t let me go.”

Will frowned. “Excuse me?”

Peter shrugged. “I was invited to a… another job by… a friend I guess.”

“A friend?”

“Her name is Sarah.” Peter nodded with a small smile. “She’s a really nice alpha. She said I can work for her but… but Freddie said she’d tell my social worker that I’m relapsing.”

“She did WHAT?” Whatever bad conscious Will had about what he was about to do to Freddie Lounds vanished. “Why?”

Peter shrugged again. “Because I’m cheap I guess. Because I’m on disability.”

“So you’d be happy if Freddie couldn’t tell you what to do anymore?”

Peter looked in the direction of Will again. “Do you want to put her in a horse?”

Will blinked. “I mean… not exactly. But something similar I guess.”

Peter nodded. “Freddie isn’t nice, I guess you can put her in a horse for awhile.”

“Thank you for understanding.” Will put his hand on Peter’s shoulder and was surprised as the man pulled him into a hug.

“You’re a nice friend Will.” Peter mumbled in his chest. “I hope you won’t forget me.”

“I won’t.” Will put his arms around Peter. “I promise.”

Will wore a black shirt and jeans as he walked to the small contestant kitchen. He remembered his first night at the mansion when he left his room after a nightmare and ran into Hannibal right here. It felt so long ago - so much had changed. The first time he had heard Hannibal tinker in the kitchen he had peered through the door and only came in reluctantly keeping his distance. Today he marched in right away stepping behind Hannibal putting his arms around his boyfriend and pressing a kiss into his neck.

Hannibal turned around to pull him into a real kiss and they continued for a few minutes until they were both breathing hard. “Hello mylimasis.”

“Hey,” Will mumbled back. “Are we ready to go?”

Hannibal raised a silvery key up. “The key to the main kitchen.”

“And the perishables?”

Hannibal waved with his hand showing off several vacuum packed bags behind him. “Prepared as you asked.”

Will sighed. “I feel kind of bad that we’re about to feed innocent people human flesh.”

“Most of them have eaten human flesh before. I do like my dinner parties.” Hannibal shrugged. “I’m far more devastated about how the flesh will be wasted by giving it to unworthy cooks who wouldn’t know how to make proper scrambled eggs.”

Will felt the corner of his mouth rise. “Well according to you I don’t make proper scrambled eggs either.”

“Well you refuse to accept that you never pour salt directly into the pan! A true Deathly Sin if I ever saw one!”

“Says the guy who regularly kills and eats people.” Will started picking up the bags. “Come on, let’s go!”

They snuck towards the main kitchen. It was luckily not in the employee building because that was brimming with activity during the night but in the cellar of the contestant housing. But as they walked down the stairs Will started hearing someone moving around and cursed under his breath. “It’s one in the morning what are they doing in there?”

Hannibal peered through the kitchen door. “There only seems to be one person inside. If you distract them I can sneak in and take care of the rest.”

Will nodded and intentionally made his steps louder than needed as he stepped into the kitchen. Then his mouth fell open as he saw the kitchen worker. “Froideveux? Franklyn’s cousin?“

The man turned around and a wide smile appeared on his face. “Will? Hey, I remember you from the Easter egg hunt.”

Will felt the polite smile freeze on his face. “I do as well… sadly. What are you doing here?”

“I kind of let several kilos of flour fall to the ground just before the end of my shift today so I had to stay back and clean up.”

“Oh, okay. But you need to come out right now, there is…” Will thought feverishly but couldn’t think of anything. “…a surprise outside.”

“A surprise?” Froideveux smiled in delight. „Oh, I can’t miss that!“ He let go of the broom in his hand which fell over and knocked over a bucket filled with water which soaked the flour covered ground making a weird kind of paste. “Oops. Well I guess I clean that up later.”

He walked past Will up the stairs and thankfully Hannibal had already managed to hide himself – although as oblivious as Froideveux proved to be it wouldn’t surprise Will if he had walked right past him without question anyway.

Will followed Froideveux up the stairs and as they left the building the cook looked around. “So what is the surprise?”

“Eh…” Will stuttered. “You have to guess?”

“Oh, fun.” Froideveux looked around. “Is it… the moon?”

“The moon?” Will looked up. “Isn’t that out most nights?”

“But it’s full moon.”

“Yeah, I guess it is.” Will agreed and mumbled to himself. “It’s not like you can just look the moon phases up in a calendar.”

“So it’s not the moon?” Froideveux asked disappointed.

Will saw Hannibal sneak out the door behind Froideveux. Thank god his boyfriend was fast. Will put his hand on Froideveux’ shoulder so he wouldn’t turn around. “No, you’re completely right: The distract… surprise was the moon. Congratulations for finding that out. Good luck with cleaning up.”

And Will turned around and left.

Once he was out of the line of sight from the building Hannibal stepped up behind him. “Did you have fun with dear Froideveux?“

„Oh, shut up!“ Will mumbled.

“Will?” Hannibal’s tone had gotten serious and he stopped walking. “I… did actually find some incriminating evidence apart from the one I planted.”

Will turned around and frowned. “You found what? What the hell could they have down in the kitchen that’s incriminating? Freddie’s addiction to expensive champagne?”

“Not exactly.” Hannibal pulled a pill bottle out of his pocket.

“What’s that?”

“Birth control.”

That took Will’s breath away for a moment. “That bitch.” He felt his blood boil as he slowly realized what the evidence meant. “She dozed us. She dozed the omegas to keep us from getting pregnant!”

“Probably not everyone.” Hannibal answered. “It seems like she only gave it to the omegas she didn’t want to leave the island – o the omegas whose alphas shouldn’t leave.” He bit his lip. “I do not want to claim that you didn’t have other reasons for it but… mood swings can be a side effect of wrongly prescribed birth control pills.”

“That bitch!” Will repeated.

“I can kill her right now for you.” Hannibal pointed out.

“No.” Will shook his head. “No. What we have planned for her will hurt her far more in the long hall.” And he turned around and started walking again.

Hannibal Lecter: I’m formerly announcing that in the next episode of Mating Island I will hold another one of my dinner parties. Anyone who cannot attend in person is cordially invited to watch the life broadcast.

LadyNyx6: OH MY GOD, a former invite by Hannibal Lecter himself. I’m flipping out

UmbrellaDelicate: Chill man, it’s a life broadcast not an invite to his wedding.

El_Escritor_Celoso_97: Which will probably be happening soon if Will and Hannibal keep going at this rate.

sootghoul: Do you think Hannibal only did this to stop Will from having to date another person tomorrow?

Hannigramm: Probably ;)

Broinhha: His dinner parties are always full of surprises, I wonder what will be happening now.

CV: Oh there’ll be surprises.

Hannibal72384: Not only from your side 

Chapter Text

“You know I would have liked some kind of heads-up before you sprang this on me.” Freddie complained as she oversaw the preparations in the dining hall.

“The inspiration for a dinner party just overtook me.” Hannibal answered indifferently.

“And you are of course going to oversee the dinner preparations?”

“Naturally.”

Freddie sighed. “I guess I can give the contestants the day off. The dinner party will give us enough material for an episode.”

“How gracious of you.” Will mumbled.

Freddie glared at him. “Just because we are finally rid of Zeller that doesn’t mean you have to take his place and whine about everything.”

“Got rid of him?” Will repeated. “No wonder you have so many friends, Freddie.” He stood up. “Well, I’m going to my make-up artist to talk about what I’m wearing on the big dinner.” He walked past Hannibal and demonstratively pressed a kiss to his lips. “Bye babe.”

As Will expected he only needed to turn the corner to run into Beverly. “Hey, I heard you were searching for me?”

“Hey Bev.” Will forced himself into a regular smile. “Yeah, I wanted to tell you I need to be dressed a bit earlier today. I’ll meet Freddie in my room a few minutes before the dinner party.”

“Oh,” Beverly frowned at him trying to look innocent while she twiddled her fingers. “Why then? Seems a bit dangerous to put both appointments so close together you might come late. Hannibal doesn’t seem like somebody who enjoys tardiness.”  

Will smiled brightly. “That’s true but all the cameras will be at the dinner party. No one will know what I’ll tell Freddie.”

There was a glint in Beverly’s eyes. “Yes… no one will ever know.”

Will sat in his room which seemed strangely lonely at the moment. He had put all his dogs in Hannibal’s room the day before – not even Winston remained. The dog that had been with him since the very beginning but now he had left and if Will was lucky he could follow him soon.

There was a knock on the door. Will nodded to himself. Show time. “Enter.”

Chilton stepped in. “I don’t quite know why you asked me to come to your…” He looked around the room with a wrinkled nose. “…closet.”

Will gave a tight smile back. “Well we never quite managed to end our discussion about you making secret recordings of Hannibal and me.”

Chilton raised his hands. “I thought we already made clear that I didn’t publish those videos.”

“I know.” Will stood up a knife hidden in the sleeve of his shirt. “But you made more, didn’t you?”

“M… more of what?” Chilton took a step back.

“More videos.” Will took a step closer crowding Chilton. “I know you took more after I confronted you - I saw them. And I have realized if I don’t stop you you’ll continue making them and blackmailing contestants. So I will.”

“I… I did not realize.” Chilton stuttered.

“You didn’t realize that you were stalking contestants?” Will asked.

“I turned off all the cameras.” Chilton answered nervously. “Maybe something went wrong with the technology.”

“Which is why you have your videos cut and titled on your computer? Amazing AI you have there. You should try selling that to Apple or Google or something.”

“Fine!” Chilton finally took a step towards him putting them chest to chest. “I did continue my video recording and you know why?”

Will raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Because I’ll make sure you’ll never reveal it to anyone.” Chilton pulled a pistol and started aiming it at Will but because they were so close he had some problems. “And if I have to kill Hannibal as well I will do that.”

Will took hold of the gun still in Chilton’s hand and pushed it away. For a few seconds they were pushing and pulling until it suddenly banged and…

Chilton’s dead body fell to the ground. Will blinked down at him. That wasn’t what he had intended. That… that…

The door flew open and Will whirled around trying to ready an excuse as Hannibal stormed in looking around wildly. He saw Will standing in the middle of the room flabbergasted and rushed over to look him over. “Are you alright? I heard a gunshot but we agreed to not use guns and…”

“I’m fine.” Will looked down at himself and realized he was covered in blood. “I… I guess Chilton shot himself in the foot… or rather in the head if we want to take the saying more literal.”

“Oh.” Hannibal’s face dropped into a sulk. “But you said I would get to kill him.”

Will rolled his eyes. “Well I didn’t plan for him to shoot himself.”

“But I was looking forward to this for days!”

“If you want you can kick the dead body.” Will offered.

“That’s not the same!” Hannibal sounded like a petulant child.”

“Hey.” Will pressed a kiss on Hannibal’s mouth. “We’ll soon be out of here and you can kill whoever you want… I can’t believe I just said that.”

Hannibal grinned and kissed him back. “I’ll have to return to the kitchen before they realize I’m not actually using the bathroom. Clean yourself up beloved.”

Hours later Will sat at the festively decorated table in a completely blood-less suit. In his hands was a dinner knife which he was throwing into the air and catching with one hand.

“You seem lost in thought.” Alana sat down in the seat next to him. “Everything alright?”

I just killed my second victim, Will thought, and I don’t even feel bad about it. Of course he didn’t say it. Instead he forced himself into a smile. “It’s just… I told Freddie to meet me in my room about now but I don’t really feel ready to face her.”

“So don’t.” Alana said.

Thank you Alana, Will thought. For providing me an alibi.

“Why would you want to talk to her anyway?” Alana asked - too innocent for the world she lived in.

“Hannibal noticed something strange in the main kitchen when he worked there yesterday and today. I wanted to tell Lounds but if he’s right about what he saw…” Will bit his lip. “Well, I called Jack.”

“Jack?” Alana sat up. “What could Hannibal have found that is bad enough to call the police?”

“It will be fine.” Margot was standing behind Alana putting a hand on her shoulder and saving Will from having to think of an answer. “I’m sure if it is really bad Will would stop it immediately.” She leaned in closer to Will and whispered in his ear. “I will end you if you traumatize Alana by making her eat human meat!”

Will’s next smile was real this time. He knew Alana would be fine once the show was over – Margot would protect her whenever Will couldn’t. And Margot was very good in knowing more than she admitted.

“Maybe…” Will leaned to Alana in a stage-whisper. “Don’t touch the food for now.”

“What?” Alana ripped her eyes open. “What is going on? Rotten food? Are they storing their meat wrong?”

Will forced himself not to grin. “Something like that.”

 “Dear guests!” Hannibal stood at the front of the table and was dinging a glass with a small metal fork. “The dinner is going to begin.”

Bedelia frowned and looked up from where she was standing with glass of white wine. “Already? But it’s fifteen minutes early. Freddie isn’t even here yet.”

“Unfortunately the kitchen staff…” Hannibal turned around and glared at a very uncomfortable looking Froideveux standing behind him and Will already knew who would be on the dinner table once they finally left the show. “… has made a costly mistake while preparing dinner. I refuse to let the first course go stale so we will start a few minutes earlier. I talked with the technicians and the life-stream already started.” He turned to the cameras surrounding the table and gave a small wave. “So please, everyone sit down, the first course will be out in just a moment.”

Alana looked at Will in concern. “Should we really just let dinner continue? I mean with… you know…”

Will shrugged. “Well nobody of us died yet and we have eaten the stuff for months.”

Margot put a hand on Alana’s. “How about you just say you feel queasy and don’t eat? Don’t worry I’ll cover for you.”

Alana smiled and kissed her. “My guardian angel.”

At that moment waiters started carrying in plates.

“Showtime.” Hannibal had appeared at Will’s side.

“Yes.” Will nodded solemnly.

After everyone received their plates Hannibal sat down next to Will at the head of the table. “I wish everyone a pleasant dinner.”

“Freddie isn’t here yet.” Anton pointed out again. “Should we really start without her?”

“Do you really want to start with her?” Will asked.

Anton nodded. “Good point.”

“Well then.” Hannibal cut into the bit of meat in front of him, pushed it onto his fork and raised it to his mouth.

“DON’T EAT THE MEAT!” Jack stormed into the room followed by several police officers. “It’s human flesh!”

For a second nobody reacted then someone screamed. Several people jumped back from their plates and Alana even pushed hers of the table. Hannibal slowly let his fork sink back to the plate with a look only Will recognized as disappointment. “Human meat? How can this be? I only used the stock in the freezer, the cooks can testify for that.”

“We also found something else in Mrs. Lounds office.” Jack raised his hand with several objects in them.”

“That’s my brother’s tie!” Margot pointed out actually shocked this time.

“And my cousin’s watch!” Froideveux recognized.

Will waited for several heartbeats for someone to add something but he probably shouldn’t be surprised that no one recognized the last piece of evidence he left in Freddie’s office. The man had never been very popular after all who would pay much attention to what Chilton wore? So Will just said: “Aren’t those Chilton’s cufflinks?”

“It’s evidence!” Froideveux shouted as if it was the greatest insight of all time.

“Where is Freddie Lounds?” Jack demanded to know.

“Not here.” Bedelia pointed out.

“I see that!” Jack scoffed. “Nobody leave this room! I will…”

The door flew open again and a sobbing Beverly stormed into the middle of the room. “I JUST SAW FREDDIE RUN OUT OF WILL’S ROOM AND CHILTON’S CORPSE IS IN THERE!”

“What?” Alana starred at her. “But how…?” She looked at Will. “She was trying to visit you… She was trying to kill… you? But why was Chilton there?”

“He must have wanted to talk to me.” Will answered and looked pointedly at his phone. “Oh god, he left me several messages. He wrote it is a matter of life and death - he discovered something terrible and he wanted to tell the police.” He tried looking guilty. “But I put the phone on silence because I didn’t want to talk to Lounds. Maybe Frederick finally tried to make up for filming me in these private moments and publishing it and now he died for it.” Maybe he was being a bit overdramatic in his acting but no one seemed to notice.

Beverly sobbed again. “I’m so sorry Will but I can’t let the publishing of the videos rest on Frederik now that he’s dead. It was me: I published those videos! I’m Hannigramm! I thought it was the only way to make you and Hannibal get together and you two are so cute together and… and I thought it was all fun and games but… I didn’t knew Freddie was killing people!”

“I KNEW IT!” For the THIRD time the door flew open and a woman entered who… Will had no idea who she was except that she was clearly unhinged. “I am Hannibal72384 and I finally found you Hannigramm!” And she pulled Beverly into a deep, passionate kiss.

Then the fire alarm started.

“Oh.” Froideveux said. “It seems like I forgot something on the stove.”

Chapter Text

Breaking news:

World-famous reality TV director Freddie Lounds has been arrested for murder, stalking and assault among other things. So far three victims have been identified and more are probably soon to follow. Apparently Lounds has been making the bodies of her victims vanish by feeding them to the contestants. There was also birth control found in the food for some omegan contestants keeping them from becoming pregnant and leaving the island. Several video files of private moments of the contestants were also found on her computer that she most likely used to blackmail them. Among the blackmailed is the omegan stable hand she kept from leaving his job or finding a mate. It is suspected her right hand man Frederick Chilton found out and tried to let Will Graham - an omegan contestant working for the police – know before Freddie killed him. The mansion were Mating Island – fine wine edition was held at has burned to the ground following these revelations - a nearly poetic kind of symbolism.

Following these news calls to get rid of the at-least-one-child policy in the USA are getting louder. Several omega-rights activist groups started protesting in front of the white house today to never let something like this happen again by abolishing the Mating shows. Hannibal Lecter himself has spoken out against the laws forcing omegas and alphas to have at least one child. If you want to watch the interview stay tuned until after these advertisements.

“Hey honey,” Will pushed off his shoes as he stepped into the house.

“Dad!” Abigail looked up from the sofa she was reading on. “You’re finally home. You need to talk some sense into Papa, he is psychoanalyzing the baby!”

“Don’t worry angel!” Will leaned down to kiss the top of her head. “I already knew it would be a mistake to marry a psychiatrist.”

“Retired psychiatrist.” Hannibal corrected while bouncing their baby in his arms. “And I’m only trying to use a few psychological studies to…”

Will took the baby out of his arms and pressed a kiss against his mouth. “No psychological studies about our baby.”

“The studies weren’t ABOUT our baby,” Hannibal protested. “They are FOR…”

“Dad how was work?” Abigail asked.

“It was fine.” Will answered. “Jack came by again to ask if I could take my old job back.”

“Did you kill him?” Hannibal asked.

“No.”

“Do you want me to kill him?”

Will sighed. “No.”

Hannibal thought about it for a moment. “MAY I kill him?”

“NO HANNIBAL!” But Will was laughing.

“I’m only looking out for your well-being.” Hannibal replied. “Especially now that the next test was positive as well."

"I still can't believe how ridicously fertile you are." Will grumbled. “When are Margot and Alana going to be over for dinner? I have to ready myself for their `big announcement` after all.”

“You have another hour and a half.” Hannibal answered easily. “Dinner is mostly done but needs a bit precision grind.”

Will sighed. "Wonderful I have been craving your food for hours now."

Hannibal kissed his cheek. "We can't have that. Last time you had a craving late at night I was sure you were about to eat me."

"I think eating people is more your kind of thing." Will gave him a pointed look. “I’ll take the little one to meet our ten dogs in the mansion YOU BROUGHT next door.”

“Oh about that.” Abigail spoke up. “I kind of found an abandoned puppy next to the street today and we are adopting him.”

“Of course we are.” Will smiled.

“She comes after her dad after all.” Hannibal commented.

“Yeah she does.” Will smiled down at the baby in his arms. “Look at us, one happy family.”

ParleyParkner: I still cannot believe the show is over. It was such a wild ride.

BoneSoupMmm: At least it really was a dramatic ending.

Calm2021Tangerine: I’m not sure if I should feel bad about how much I enjoyed this trash fire.

gabba_gabba: I think we all enjoyed the show. As long as you didn’t actively support murder and Cannibalism there is nothing wrong with having enjoyed the show.

WillibalGrater: Luckily the Cannibal is locked up now

CV: Yeah. Luckily she is.

AttaGirlChiyoh: Have you heard Will is expecting again. So it exited especially since their first baby is so adorable <3.

Mysterious_L: Alana and Margot are apparently having a child as well. There you can see if you don’t literally force people into getting children things go much more smoothly.

Helljoy: I was at the protest at the white house today, if enough show up they’ll have to change the law.

SSA_SarahSunshine: We can do this!

enbymurderhusbands: Down with the reigning class!

Pielover515: Are Hannigramm and Hannibal72384 still hanging around here? I would like to know how their story ended.

Hannigramm: Very happily :)

DaringD: That’s great to hear. I wish you the best.

LadyNyx6: Do you know what happened to the poor stable hand Freddie blackmailed?

UmbrellaDelicate: Got a new job with a friend as far as I know.

El_Escritor_Celoso_97: Good for him and what happened to Bedelia and Antony?

sootghoul: They are keeping it quiet I think. It’s Bedelia, she will do what is best for her. If she wants to marry and have children she will but if not it’s her life.

Broinhha: You are right. It’s a happy ending for everyone.