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If you had asked Will about his stance on Hannibal a few months ago, he would scoff and say something snide. Not now though. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Will was fond for the doctor.
The two had even began some loose variety of a relationship but ever the man he was, Will didn’t use a label like that. His mind did though. Hannibal knew him so intimately that the two were basically together.
He was aware of Will’s distaste for physical touch, what times in which he took his medications and even the specific brand of dog food he uses. It wasn’t even so much of a frequency of conversation but from simple observations.
With the topic of Will’s unsavory feelings for physical touch, Hannibal had to find other ways to express his affections for the profiler.
“Will, melié, congratulations on your latest case. I understand from Jack Crawford it was quite the feat.”
Words of affirmation seemed to suit Will for a while until the man fell into a depressive mental state and wouldn’t accept any of the words in which he spoke.
During one of the more rough times when this would happen, Hannibal paid a visit to his lover with food and as much comfort as a man such as himself could bring.
He didn’t even have to worry about Will accepting him into the farm home he cooped himself up into as Hannibal knew the location of the spare key. Above the doorway, on the left and in colder months, under a layer of dirt in an old potted plant.
The scent of pine, dog and Will’s dreadful aftershave welcomed Hannibal into his beloved’s home, “Numylėtinis?” he called before seeing Will’s tuft of hair peak form the kitchenette.
Hannibal noticed the small piles of mess scattered on surfaces, he took note to tidy it once settling Will.
“Oh Hannibal, you didn’t tell me you were coming,” he commented with a small grin, forced in the corners Hannibal noted that as well.
The taller man drew closer and lingered just a few feet from Will, “Felt like you could use a nice meal in your trying times. And perhaps some company, hm?”
“I’ve got the dogs, s’fine…’m fine,” the blue eyed man assured with little certainty in his own voice.
“It wouldn’t hurt for me to join you though, my dear,” Hannibal’s lips pulled into a grin as Will rolled his eyes and chuckled. “Take a seat and give yourself a break though, hm? I’ll take care of what you need.”
Will shook his head and went to speak before Hannibal was shooing him back onto his mattress, pulling a well-loved blanket over him and tucked the sides.
“Snug as a bug.”
Hannibal remained true to tidying up the clutter that clung to the corners and crevices of Will’s house. All that took up the air was shuffling and soft humming, lulling Will’s brain in the slightest.
He was able to doze off comfortably for the first time in a few days for a while until another foul dream seeped into Will’s mind which caused him to jerk awake.
The doctor was feeding Will’s dogs when he noticed the curly haired man sat up in his bed as he panted slightly. Clearly out of breath and uneasy from whatever disturbed him.
Hannibal rose to his full height and went to question to man but once he was close enough, his waist was taken into an embrace. Will clung onto him as if he would disappear in a moments notice.
“Will?” Hannibal’s voice rang, silken honey and concern as he carefully pulled Will back from the embrace.
“Hannibal.” He answered like he was out of breath and truthfully, he might have been.
“Would you like me to sit with you until you are ready to discuss your dream?” He knew the answer but there was no use in assuming.
Will fell back against the mattress, “Can you…uh, can you lay with me?” he questioned with a look of pleading in his eyes and who was Hannibal to deny his darling.
The larger man settled next to his partner on the bed, Will’s head coming to rest on his lap and interlock their fingers together.
Silence filled the room, only sounds to be made on occasion were the ragged breaths of Will and a dog collar or two clinking.
“Sorry for the intrusion,” Will sighed and went to pull himself away from Hannibal.
“Nonsense. There is no shame in comfort, Will,” Hannibal’s unoccupied hand found itself in Will’s hair, “indulgence in things such as this will never be a problem, mylimasis.”