Chapter Text
Banshee, Pennsylvania, Lucas Hood was called in for a homicide. The area was a lush forest, but one part was cleared and white rock was scattered around. His eyes led him to the scene, a young woman impaled on a stag head, despite all his years involving murders, this was one of the most gruesome crimes he had seen. Parts of the antlers poked through her stomach, arms, and legs. Blood streamed down her porcelain skin. But it was clean. The body didn’t have any dirt or bruises, just perfect streams of blood.
Emmett had already drawn up a report, he gave it to Lucas, it revealed that the young woman was killed after she was impaled. Lucas inhaled deeply, clenching his jaw as frustration rose inside of him. Kai Proctor couldn’t have done this, he always hides his murders, and he would never make it a performance.
Emmett stepped closer to Lucas “I think you came to the same conclusion as me. Proctor didn’t do this, he has a clear alibi anyway. Siobhan went to his mansion last night regarding a noise complaint.”
“Figures. Do we have any other suspects?” Lucas asked. Emmett was about to answer when his phone started to ring. He stepped away to answer it, saying very little. He then shook his head and walked back to Lucas. “Siobhan got a call from the department saying that the FBI is getting involved because murders like this have been happening in places like Maryland, Virginia, and Minnesota,” said Emmett. Uneasiness struck Lucas, his face was well known by the FBI and now they are coming straight towards him. Lucas exhaled, “When are they coming?”
“In a few hours, the ride from Maryland to here isn’t that far,” Emmett replied. Lucas started pacing which caught Emmet’s attention. “You okay?” asked Emmet.
“Yeah, I’m fine Emmett. It’s just this case is concerning.” A few hours later, FBI agent Jack Crawford and his team arrived at the crime scene. Lucas watched intently as Jack stepped out of the car, Jack was a big man who wore a face of stone. He seemed to take things seriously, seemingly a man who didn’t bend the rules, a man who would not tolerate Lucas. He is not fucking around, Lucas thought, even though he wasn’t frightened of Jack. He just didn’t want to be noticed by the head of the BAU. He decided to move off to the side and observe. In the same car, Jack got out of, an anxious-looking man with curly brown hair got out of the passenger seat. Lucas had no idea who this was, as his only knowledge of the team was about Jack Crawford. Lucas realized how strange everyone was acting as they all tried to avoid being near the crime scene, except for the seemingly anxious man. The man stood near the body, glancing around almost as if he was absorbing the scene. Lucas watched him close his eyes for a minute.
"What is he doing?” Lucas muttered to himself. The man’s eyes shot open, this time looking tense, almost like he was trapped there. He cautiously walked over to Jack, their conversation was brief. Jack nodded as the stranger talked to him, Jack then gave the all-clear for the CSI to observe the scene. The man stepped off to the side under a tree near Lucas, he didn’t say a word, not even a glance in Lucas’ direction. Lucas observed the stranger, his eyes were a light blue but his glasses slightly obscured them, his arms were crossed over his chest as if he were shielding himself, and he stood wearily as if he hadn't slept in a while. Lucas then realized how long he had been staring at the man, so he decided to introduce himself. He walked over to him.
“Sheriff Lucas Hood,” he said firmly, extending his hand. The man stared at him for a moment, “Special Agent Will Graham.”
Lucas liked his name, it sounded cozy. Will did not shake his hand, which only made Lucas feel compelled to learn more about him.
“What kind of work do you do?” Lucas asked. Will huffed quietly as if Lucas asked him what his worst fear was.
“I’m an FBI profiler, but my boss, Jack Crawford will tell you I’m just here for my imagination.”
Lucas pondered on this, why was he so intrigued by Will Graham? He discretely looked Will up and down and noticed the incredible amount of dog hair covering Will’s jacket. Lucas had to ask him,
“Do you have a dog?”
Will stood up a bit straighter, the shield around his arms loosened. He seemed to be excited about that question.
“I have seven dogs.” A weak smile flashed across Will’s face but disappeared within seconds. Lucas chuckled but he made sure not to smile. “A friend of mine, Sugar Bates, loves dogs too. He works at The Forge if you ever want to meet him.”
“Where is the-'' Will stopped and frowned once again, Lucas turned around to see Jack Crawford walking over. “I’m Jack Crawford with the FBI, and I see you have met my employee.” Even though Jack was smiling, Will tensed up, his whole face saying ‘I want to disappear’. “Sheriff Hood,” Lucas said firmly, and they shook hands. Jack started to lead Lucas away from Will “I wouldn’t pay attention to him, he’s just a special agent, and he doesn’t like talking.”
How could Jack be so careless about his team members? Lucas asked himself. As they kept walking, Jack went on about how his team would handle everything on the case. Lucas looked back to see Will was somewhat relaxed, as he leaned against the tree with a taller, polished blonde man standing close to him. Almost intimately.
Lucas inquired about him “Who is that person next to Will?” Jack waved his hand at the question. “That’s Dr. Hannibal Lecter, Will’s therapist.”
Later that night, Lucas was sitting at the Forge, reminiscing about Will Graham. While pondering, he fidgeted with his beer bottle, slowly twirling it with his steady hand. Sugar remarked, “And what is so special about this Will Graham?”
Job chimed in, “You already have me and Sugar, and besides you’ll only get into trouble, he’s with the FBI for lord's sake.”
Lucas smiled, “There’s just something about him, I want to be his fr-” he stopped, Will Graham stepped into the bar, and Dr. Lecter followed. Sugar whispered, “Is that him?”
Lucas nodded.
“Welcome to the Forge!” Sugar beamed. “What brings you here?”
Hannibal spoke up, “Will was invited by Sheriff Hood” Job glanced at Lucas “and we are also interested in the wine revenue here.”
Hannibal looked at Will “I suppose I'm the only one interested in wine.” He added almost guiltily. Job, who was sitting next to Lucas, looked up from their computer, dazzled. Lucas could hear Job whisper, “I want the butch lesbian on our team.” Lucas rolled his eyes and subtly elbowed Job. Before they said anything, an exasperated-looking Will sat next to Lucas, and Hannibal next to Will. Sugar nodded to Will, “You look like you need an old-fashioned.”
Will nodded, “Please”. Lucas drank from his beer, and Hannibal requested a glass of wine. Job leaned closer to Lucas and whispered “I think those two have something going on, nod if you agree.”
Lucas nodded, they were very close considering Hannibal was only his therapist, and Will didn’t seem like the type to enjoy being that close on the regular. Lucas glanced at Will, he wasn’t listening “How’d you know, you just met them.” Lucas whispered. Job smirked, “Baby if you know you know.”
They continued working on the computer. Lucas remembered to ask Sugar something “Hey Sugar,” Lucas leaned forward “How many dogs did you have back in the day?” Will smiled lightly before quickly looking at Lucas.
Will, Lucas, and Sugar managed a conversation about dogs and fishing while Hannibal and Job discussed the opera. Lucas remembered everything Will said, he lived in Wolf Trap, Virginia with his seven dogs, and he had also mentioned how he enjoyed fly fishing. “I have a small boat if you ever want to fish by the lake with me.” Lucas offered, he himself was unaware that’s what he wanted until those words came out of his mouth. Will looked like he wanted to but he hesitated “We have to leave once we finish the crime scene, I doubt we’ll have time.”
Lucas tried again, “Well if you do, I live right there.” He gestured to the casita next to The Forge. Will looked at his watch “We should get going, it’s late. I might see you tomorrow.” He left, and Hannibal was about to leave when he stopped near Sugar “Thank you for having us,” he looked at Lucas “and thank you for inviting Will, he seemed to enjoy your company.” Lucas raised his drink as Hannibal gracefully stepped out of the Forge.
Lucas went to his room later that night. He lay there on the floor thinking about Will Graham. There’s something about Will. He fidgeted with the bandage around his wrist absentmindedly, he made a decision. He got up, put some pants on, and decided to go out to the lake. He felt relieved despite the fact he couldn’t sleep, thinking about Will Graham was better than nightmares. Lucas left his room and walked down the old creaky stairs, he was headed to the lake.
As he walked, leaves gently brushed against his bare shoulders, and the moonlight illuminated his way. When he got to the lake, a dark figure was sitting on a log. Lucas was immediately on guard, he placed his hand on his gun. The person did not notice Lucas behind him, he moved his hand through his hair and sighed. He sounded exhausted, just like… Lucas realized it was Will.
“Graham?” He said softly. Will whipped around almost like he was preparing for an intruder as well, “Hood?” He relaxed again “I like your shirt.”
Lucas chuckled quietly, Will Graham was unexpectedly sassy. Will wasn’t wearing the same outfit either, he had a light blue shirt and grey sweatpants instead of his flannel and chino pants. “I wasn't expecting anyone Will, I figured I didn’t need a shirt.” He realized he used his first name and stopped looking at him, embarrassed about such an unprofessional slip.
“I like how you say my name. People usually seem scared to say it, or they are mad and want something. Like a ringmaster demanding a lion to do tricks. But not you, you don’t seem to want anything.” Lucas was a little surprised, Will had never said this much unprompted.
“I don’t need anything. How did you find this spot by the lake anyway?” Will turned to the water “The motel is nearby. I can't sleep most of the time, so I walk a lot. I was walking on this trail and I found this tree.” His fingers stroked the bark of the tree. “I get nightmares too, I usually end up walking here. Can I sit?” Will nodded and Lucas sat close to him. “How did you know I have nightmares?” Will looked shaky like he might pass out soon, he looked feverish actually. “You look really warm.” Lucas instinctively touched the back of his hand to Will’s forehead, not thinking that he’d only known Will for a day. Will flinched a bit but did not protest, Lucas realized what he did “I’m sorry, I should’ve asked.” Will was surprised “It’s okay, people tend to fidget with me, fix my glasses, button up my collar if I haven’t. Like I’m a wind-up doll.”
He huffed but not at Lucas and slouched, purely aching. Lucas was taken aback by that. “You do feel warm, you should take an aspirin.” Lucas urged. Will grinned and he pulled an aspirin bottle from his pocket “Already got it.”
Lucas thought about Will’s previous statement “What about Hannibal?”. Will fidgeted with a piece of bark “He’s the exception, the shell in a sea of rocks if you will.” Will took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes, and gazed at Lucas, “Where did you get all the scars on your back from?” He asked gently. Lucas hesitated, he couldn’t tell Will about Rabbit.
“It’s a dangerous town.” He whispered, the question didn’t bother him but he had something else on his mind. Will. They both became silent. Lucas confessed, “There’s something about you, I want to know you.” Lucas looked out at the lake and flicked his chin up, anxious to see what Will would say. He continued to fidget with the piece of bark “I feel like I used to know you, I know we just met, but you feel familiar. Like a pleasant breeze.”
Lucas smiled, he has been through a lot, and so has Will Graham. He has finally found someone like himself. Someone with the same scars. “How did you know I have nightmares?” Will asked again, Lucas shrugged “I can tell, one would rather stay up and walk than face the terror of nightmares. Nightmares that are or have been real.”
Will flicked the piece of bark into the water, the water rippled gently causing the moonlight to dance across the surface.