Chapter Text
TATTLE CRIME EXCLUSIVE: MEET THE MURDER HUSBANDS
It has been a season of change, shock, and awe for Baltimore and no one — this journalist included — emerged unscathed.
Late last February, Dr. Frederick Chilton was officially charged as the Chesapeake Ripper, and the evidence found at his home and work were damning. Several bone fragments and other DNA samples of past Ripper victims were located buried on his property. His office also held a plethora of articles penned by yours truly covering the crimes, as well as a few ‘confidential’ reports regarding infamous FBI profiler Will Graham.
What was in those reports is unknown at this time, but for the moment Will Graham and his partner seem to be concerning themselves with more intimate matters.
On a quiet September morning, he and Dr. Hannibal Lecter tied the knot in a private ceremony just outside of Baltimore. In attendance were reportedly friends from their respective careers and a few mysterious family figures from Dr. Lecter’s side of the aisle.
Graham-Lecter is his official name now though, and it is one shared by his husband and newly adopted son.
Their unexpected coupling was first covered by this publication last year, and though it seemed like they were once entertaining the company of a local heiress, those whispers have since been disproven. The romance seems to be alive as ever though, as the newly wedded Murder Husbands have since jetted off on an international honeymoon.
They left the city shortly after Dr. Chilton’s conviction and what new calamity may befall the city upon their return is anyone's guess.
***
“Again? Are you sure, mylimasis? I’d hate to wear you out so soon.”
Will nods to the man next to him in bed — his husband as of five days ago. “I’m sure.” Stretching his torso, he makes a small pleased noise at the satisfying pop in his back.
Hannibal looms over him a moment before settling at his side, speaking closer to his ear now. “Are you sure you want to return there? Florence has much to offer us and there are several other areas I’d like us to explore.”
Will’s eyes remain closed as he hums an approval. “You’ve told me a lot about the Uffizi these past few months, I want to take it all in now that we’re here.”
“I’m glad you have enjoyed the gallery so much. Florence itself has always been very important to me. It represents a period of self-discovery in my life that set the tone for all that came after. It’s become even more precious to me now that you and Noah have traveled down the same cobblestone I myself walked all those years ago.”
Blindly, Will reaches out until he feels the other man’s chest. He strokes the skin there slowly, knowing Hannibal would be watching his hand and the ring that sits proudly on his finger.
“I feel like I know you better here. The gallery has been my favorite by far. If I close my eyes, I can picture us both back there.” And suddenly they were back there for Will. Standing in front of the Primavera, a personal favorite of Hannibal's. In the public setting of the gallery, he had told him of its original story and Will stayed in front of the portrait on his own for a while after that, trying to retain his own mental image of it. Later that evening in the quiet privacy of their rented villa, he told him how he had recreated it with his chosen medium of human flesh. When Will thought of the Primavera now, it was Hannibal’s rendition that first came to mind for him.
“Your memory palace is growing. It’s full of new things. It shares some rooms with my own. I’ve discovered you there, victorious.” The figmented version of Hannibal that stood next to Will in his mind smiled the same smile he was sure was on the original’s face.
Prideful. Content. In love.
One of Hannibal’s hands rises up to skim over and then down his shoulder, before he leans in to kiss at Will’s exposed neck and mouth.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish.” Will did open his eyes then, rejoining his partner in their borrowed bedroom. “Noah will be coming to get us up for the day any minute.”
It may have seemed an odd choice to some, but bringing Noah with them on their honeymoon was an obvious decision for the pair. They planned to be gone for two weeks in total and neither man was keen on leaving their son behind on another continent. They still had plenty of time to themselves here even with him in attendance, and they could always come back to visit again on their own when he was a little older. Something to look forward to in Will’s opinion.
“The floors here creak very loudly, and the door is locked. I believe I’ll have plenty of time to make one of us decent should he come and pay us a visit.”
That makes Will laugh as Hannibal continues pressing his mouth to random places that tickle his skin. “I’ve come to be quite familiar with your body now. Forgive my arrogance, but this shouldn’t take long.”
As Hannibal disappears under the covers, Will feels his boxers being slid down his legs. He thinks about the numerous other paintings he’s seen at the Uffizi Gallery and briefly imagines what Hannibal’s take on them might look like.
His attention is soon completely swept away by the practiced glide of his partner's tongue and he has just enough time to turn a building moan into a stilted exhale. Will isn’t at all angry either when Hannibal’s prediction of a short-lived but satisfying demonstration of his familiarity is proven correct.
***
“Remember, stay close to your papa and don’t leave the room without one of us.” Will reminds his son once they are among the larger crowd. It was an abbreviated version of the speech he’d given him everyday since their first visit to the Uffizi gallery, but it still covered the most important points.
It had been their routine since Hannibal had insisted they split off at the gallery most days. He wanted to explain the artwork to Noah and leave Will to develop his own opinions on them so they could discuss it together later at night.
“Ok daddy, we’re gonna go look at the pictures I didn’t get to see yesterday.” Ready to go, he immediately grabs Hannibal’s hand. Will briefly scans the faces of the people around them again for anything that might raise his parental hackles.
“We’ll be fine, Will.” Hannibal assures, at ease in any setting.
Ready to dismiss them, Will finishes his observations with a hum. Realistically, he knows Hannibal would keep Noah safe and emerge unscathed even if they were wandering down the most dangerous streets Florence had to offer. Still, being in a different country with a growing crowd of people milling in and out made it hard to shake his own paranoia.
“Alright, don’t let your papa leave me here, I’ll find you both in a little while.” Noah happily agrees and the duo turns away to get a closer look at a large piece that overtook a wall near the open doorway while Will walks off to a corner of the room facing the opposite direction.
Twenty minutes after striking out on his own, he sets his eyes on a piece he’d admired during the tail end of yesterday’s visit. A piece titled Flora is what had caught his attention and as Will looked it over again today, the color of her dressings reminded him of three specific pieces of clothing that were currently packed away and carefully preserved back home.
A bow tie, pocket square, and necktie.
Three items of clothing in a matching pearlescent shade of white that had been carefully tucked away in Hannibal's side of the closet for the past four months.
The accessories were among the first decisions the doctor had come to for the wedding. His reasoning as he explained it was that since there was no ‘bride’ to wear white, they would acknowledge this tradition in their own way.
“I guess the venue can be our ‘something borrowed’ since it’s rented.” Will joked.
Hannibal however had been completely, disgustingly serious when he additionally proclaimed that Will’s eyes were the only ‘something blue’ he had any interest in.
The wedding itself was every bit as elegant and showy as could be expected, and Hannibal had predictably taken the lead in planning the majority of the occasion. Will did his part, chiming in on his thoughts for the location and some of the menu, but he mostly let his fiancé take the reins, stepping in only when his ideas crossed the line into audacious territory.
When the big day finally came, Hannibal had taken off from their Baltimore home at dawn to meet Chiyoh and his Aunt at the venue and see to the final preparations as well as his own attire. They didn't see the point in spending the previous night apart and opted to only spend the morning out of each other's company instead.
Will had gotten himself and Noah ready before driving them both over to wait in the ‘groom room’ until his presence was actually needed. Alana met them at the entrance to keep Will company and see to any last minute running around. She no longer needed her cane to get around, and Margot had certainly been a great help to her both mentally and physically these past few months. Their relationship was stronger than ever, solidified by the shared trauma they survived together. The Verger woman now sat with the rest of the crowd in her designated seat next to Alana’s.
“If you decide to bolt, leave me out of it.” Alana said. “You can take my car but I’ll deny leaving the keys out for you.”
Will shook his head as he needlessly adjusted his tie again. “Hannibal would find me in less than an hour and convince the officiant to marry us anyways.”
Alana laughed at that as Noah made another loop around the room, decorative cushion in hand.
As soon as they began wedding planning, the pair had asked Noah if he’d be comfortable being their ring bearer for the ceremony. He had initially been ecstatic to accept and then became bogged down with the anxiety of possible failure. The men had done their best to ease his nerves by having him practice the task over the past few months, and despite being more than ready for it, he was still using these final moments to practice.
“Don’t worry buddy, you’re going to do great.” Will assured. “Just sit with Aunt Alana and when it’s time for you to bring us the rings, walk straight to me and Hannibal. You don’t even have to look at anyone else.”
Noah gave him a small smile and set the cushion down, still happy to be a part of such an important event.
After today, a lot would be different for them. Noah’s adoption paperwork and Will and Hannibal’s legal name changes would all be finalized within a few days. A process that should take weeks after the occasion settled in record time by Hannibal's expensive, reserved lawyer.
Rapheal Storik was a quiet man for someone who made a living with his words. Will had taken to mentally dubbing him ‘Mr. “Of Course”’ as that seemed to be his default response to any of Hannibal's requests thus far.
A knock at the door took everyone’s attention as one of the venue’s staff popped their head in after being given permission to enter.
“Mr. Graham, we’re ready for you. Your fiancé is at his mark as well and will walk out just before you get there.”
“Thank you.” Will knelt down to fix his son’s already perfect bow tie, needing to keep his hands busy for the moment. He gave him a final hug before sending him off. “Alright, I’ll see you out there.”
Will handed Noah his cushion with the rings tucked safely in the middle and gave him and Alana a parting wave before they left to find their seats at the front.
The attendant watched them go before turning back to him. “Are you ready sir?” She asked politely as someone spoke to her over a headset.
Will took a final breath in before heading for the door.
“I’m ready.”
Coming back from the memory of his wedding day, he looks at the picture in front of him a final time before moving on. Turning to scan the room,it only takes a few moments until he finds his son. Noah was still facing the other direction, and standing next to Hannibal’s easily recognizable form. Instead of his hand, Noah somehow got even closer, holding on to the part of his shirt just above where it tucked into his pants.
We’re both a little clingy with him. Will’s smile at the thought immediately disappears as he registers a third figure next to the pair.
Someone he obviously didn’t recognize. Speaking to his husband.
From behind, he imagines this man and Will looked very similar. Same build and rough height, as well as a head of dark curls that cropped at the back of his neck.
Quickly cutting through the crowd, Will makes his way over to the group and sets a hand on Noah’s shoulder once he reaches them.
“Hey you two, I was looking for you.” He kept his gaze on Hannibal as he spoke, not acknowledging the other man at first.
“Here he is.” Hannibal proudly announces. “This is my husband, Will Graham-Lecter. Will, this is Antony Dimmond, an art curator for the Path Gallery in the next city over.”
Will reaches out to shake his hand only because Noah and Hannibal are present. “Checking out the competition?”
The man’s smile is crooked, and he releases Will’s hand after giving him an obvious once over. “No one competes with the Uffizi. I am merely a slave to the love I hold for such timeless beauty, forever frozen and yet impossible to replicate. Each piece is like a treasured lover you let slip away, leaving you only with the memory of what once was.”
The crawling of Will’s skin is only made worse by the other man’s expectant expression.
“Right.” His delivery is flat, but he figures he gets some points for responding at all. “We’ve only been here a few times. Hannibal lived here before so he’s been showing us around and turning our son into something of an art enthusiast in the limited time we have.”
Antony looks down at Noah for a split second before returning his gaze to the two men. “He certainly holds a clear resemblance to one of you. Good for you Will, it's important to sample all of life’s offerings before sticking to just one. I myself still have much to indulge in before I consider settling down.”
“I am grateful to have been singled out and chosen by my beloved.” Hannibal begins. “He indulges me in many of my eccentricities and we chose Florence as our honeymoon destination specifically for this gallery. It’s been an enriching family experience that I’ll treasure for years to come.” It seemed like he had also caught Antony’s distinction between who Noah’s DNA came from, and didn’t appreciate the commentary any more than Will had.
“A child is an interesting guest for a honeymoon. Is that an American sentiment?” He asks, turning to Will.
“We prefer each other’s company. Hannibal planned the whole trip around all three of us, and we’ve had an amazing visit.”
So far, anyways.
“The Florence nightlife has much to offer even to those in otherwise committed relationships. It’d be a shame to miss out. You two would be a popular addition. Individually or as a couple. Many wouldn’t be opposed — myself included.”
If Will’s opinion of the man held any flexibility up to this point, he now staunchly disliked him. If not for his pretentious spouting or general pompous air, his inappropriate choice of topic in the presence of his child rankled Will past the point of forgiveness.
It was almost unnerving how similar they would look at first glance. Their true differences were the most obvious in the way they dressed and carried themselves.
Antony was doing his best Professor Plum impersonation with his purple overcoat and spotted neck scarf despite the temperature and crowds making it warm enough to go without either. He had also been all too willing to engage an unknown man and child into some kind of discussion for no parent reason.
Conversely, Will was dressed simply in a crisp white button down tucked into gray slacks. No frills or accessories other than his husband on his arm and their son between them. The idea of pulling a stranger into casual conversation was his own personal nightmare, only further differing the two men from each other.
“We’ve been getting all we need and then some from the daytime activities.” Will answered shortly. A discreet hand slid down to rest in the middle of his back. Hannibal’s attempt to soothe him and quell his own growing irritation.
“As I said earlier, we are recently married.” Hannibal points out, showing off the ring in his other hand. “Neither of us have an interest in anything that cannot be shared exclusively between the two of us or as a family.”
“A shame. If you find yourselves wanting to add a little adventure to your trip, I spend most of my days at the Path. Feel free to look me up.”
Fearing his mood is about to take a violent turn, Will checks his watch before turning to Hannibal. “We better get going, our lunch reservation is coming up.” It was also entirely fictional but that wasn't the point.
“Of course, mylimasis. Mr. Dimmond, it was nice to meet you.”
“You as well Dr. Lecter. Your family is a unique find.” With one last smarmy smile, he disappears into the crowd and the trio leave the gallery altogether.
Will couldn’t regret his decision to remove his family from that strange encounter even if he does feel a little ridiculous for fabricating a lunch appointment just to get away from an offputting but ultimately harmless stranger. Noah walks in between the two men, each securely holding one of his hands as they make their way down the busy plaza.
“How did you end up talking to that guy anyways?” Will questions once they are a few streets away.
“Noah accidentally mistook him for you, and I saw as Mr. Dimmond turned to address him. Naturally, I went to collect Noah and he began speaking to us. It wasn’t long after that you discovered us.”
He looks down at the boy, surprised at the information. “You thought he was me?”
“Only a little bit. I wanted to show you something and I saw his back. When he turned around I knew it wasn’t you and I was gonna walk away but then papa came and got me. I was happy when I saw him because I didn't want to talk to that man.”
“He was very different from your father wasn’t he?” His amusement is clear, and Will knows his disdain would have been clear enough throughout the entire exchange.
Noah hums an agreement and jumps over a large crack in the cobblestone beneath them. “He looked like daddy but his smile is wrong, and his shirt didn’t fit. He needs a bigger one.”
“Noah! That’s not…nice.” Will lands on. He couldn’t argue that it wasn’t true.
“He also had on far too much cologne for such an enclosed public space. Very rude.” Hannibal piles on from Noah’s other side.
“That’s not helpful.” Will tries and fails to stifle his laughter.
They eventually did find a nice bistro to have a quiet lunch in and Hannibal insisted they take yet another family photo while they waited for their food. Will has a sneaking suspicion that within a month's time, the walls of their home would be littered with pictures from this trip and their wedding.
He hopes he’s right.
***
“Florence does have a varied and involved nightlife scene. I’d be more than happy to introduce you to it if that was something you wanted.” Hannibal tells him later that night.
Looking over his shoulder, Will is only half-awake to watch as Hannibal finishes pulling on the pair of underwear Will had slipped off him earlier.
“Bored of me already? Doesn’t bode well for the whole ‘rest of our lives’ piece from our vows.” A pinch to Will’s ass pulls a hiss from him and he’s quick to jerk his bottom away. A pair of his own briefs get tossed onto his thighs before Hannibal joins him in bed.
“If you’re done savaging me this evening, put those on in case we get a late night visit.” Will grumbles as he makes the bare minimum movements necessary to cover himself with the offered clothing. If Hannibal thought the bites Will had left on his hips and neck were ‘savage’, he wonders what the good doctor would have to say in defense of the scratch marks he could still feel stinging his back. “You also know perfectly well I wasn't referring to any salacious activities. There are several smaller bars that stay open into the early morning, and local musicians often play well into the night out on the streets.” The bedside lamp is clicked off and they stretch out next to each other in the dark.
“Next time.” Will promises. “We can come back in a few years — just the two of us.” Noah would be older, and likely have his own social calendar that would make following his love-struck fathers around feel more like a chore than something to look forward to. Florence will always be a special place to Hannibal, and as Will falls in love with the city himself, he doesn’t think he’d mind indulging in a trip every couple of years.
Hannibal agrees to these terms with a quiet “As you wish.”.
***
The next day is mostly spent perusing the small shops that litter the city, and Noah is handed a questionable amount of treats from different vendors until Will finally cuts Hannibal off. They also pick up a handful of trinkets as souvenirs for themselves and their few friends back home. A pair of leather gloves too small for Hannibal but just right for Will find their way into Hannibal’s possession but Will manages to use that distraction to covertly purchase a leather journal he plans to gift him this coming Christmas. When they make their way to the Uffizi, it’s late afternoon and the gallery is notably emptier than it had been on any of their other visits.
“There is a wine parade taking place further in the city.” Hannibal offers in explanation. “Many tourists and locals abandon the traditional sights such as this to partake.”
“You didn’t want to go?” Will asks. “That seems like something you’d enjoy.” Especially if the audience overindulged and ended up causing a disturbance or two.
Hannibal shakes his head. “I’ve been in attendance before. The crowd can get very rowdy and Noah wouldn’t be able to sample anything that they would be handing out.”
“Next time then.” Will promises again. Though they had only agreed to a future trip to Florence last night, Will was already tucking away small pieces of information to use when building the next itinerary.
“Next time.” Hannibal echoes. He pulls out a small bag that held the sketching materials he’d brought with him today. Will and Noah planned to roam the emptier halls while Hannibal stayed to sketch the nymph scene of the Primavera again with ‘new eyes’. He could sketch it by memory at this point in his life, but the opportunity to use the actual painting as reference was too good to pass up.
They parted ways and Noah took Will to see his favorite pieces he could remember. A few statues and a handful of paintings depicting different Greek figures from the mythologies Hannibal had spent the past year telling him about.
It was amazing how much he’d managed to retain during their trip. Without Hannibal’s insistence, he doubted either of them would ever have seen this gallery or Europe as a whole even. He hoped they would have lots of family trips like this. The world was a big place and Hannibal had made it known that he wanted to be Will and Noah’s guide through as much of it as possible.
After about an hour, the pair meandered back into the room they’d left Hannibal to sketch in, and Will let the boy independently roam the otherwise empty room while he went to sit by his husband.
He knew the second his proximity had been registered because Hannibal put down his pencil and then watched as he sat next to him on the bench. He couldn’t stop himself from looking over the Primavera and marveling at how accurately his husband managed to recreate it.
“If I saw you everyday, forever Will, I would remember this time.” Hannibal said softly. He had a way of always making Will feel like the most important figure in his world. Even this room filled with priceless artifacts and artistic triumphs couldn't make him feel any less significant as long as Hannibal was looking at him like this.
“I’m glad we came here. Thank you for sharing Florence with us. It’s been…enlightening for me.” He looked around the room, and all the beauty it held that Hannibal had spent a formative time in his life immersing himself in. “I wish there was somewhere special I could take you. When it comes to life-shaping tourism, the best I can offer are the fishing docks I grew up on or the alley I got stabbed in as a cop.”
“Your previous home in Wolf Trap is one of the most meaningful spaces I’ve saved in my memory palace. It is where I took my first steps into a life with you and Noah. Florence is significant to me but there are other places that shaped me that are cold and ugly. Places I can never go to again and will live only in my memory.”
Lecter castle in Lithuania. Where Hannibal spent the only happy years of his childhood and the same place where he watched it all be ripped from him in the span of a single winter.
“Good, bad, ugly. Wherever you go, it’ll never have to be alone.” Will laid a hand over Hannibal’s to stroke his finger over the golden band he personally placed on the doctor's finger at the altar. Will smiles to himself as he remembers the night he had first presented the ring. He had been a ball of nerves despite already having his own ring on his finger.
“Papa, did you finish your drawing?” Noah came walking up to where they sat, angling his head to take a look at the journal himself. Hannibal hands over the book for him to inspect the illustration still in progress.
“Not yet triušis. It would take me a long time to finish, but I have what I need for now.” Satisfied, Noah hands him back his sketch and Hannibal begins packing it and the rest of his supplies away. “We should get going. The festivities will bring out large crowds and we would be wise to get ourselves settled back at the villa before the streets are overrun.”
Together, they walk the short distance to a nearby market for a few ingredients and then to their rental, where Hannibal makes them another delicious meal in record time.
“The carbonara was delicious, thank you.” Will thanks him once they’ve all finished. He stands to take their plates to the sink and stops where Hannibal is sitting across from Noah at the small table to kiss him lightly on the cheek.
“I am happy you enjoyed it. There is still some crosata from yesterday if you want something sweet.”
“No thanks, I’m full.”
“The cherry cake?” Noah asks hopefully. The dessert had been an instant favorite of his and would likely be added to the rotation back home.
“You and I can share a piece before we go to sleep.” Hannibal promises and gets up to retrieve the dish from the fridge. Fondly, Will watches as the two of them eat and talk about what adventure the next day holds.
***
The steady circles of Hannibal's fingers in Will’s hair keep him in a relaxed float and the hot temperature of the bath water he was submerged in relaxes his muscles. Hannibal is sat behind him in only his pajama bottoms, entirely focused on the task at hand. They’d been here ever since they’d put Noah to sleep and there was no apparent rush to end the gentle scrubbing of Will’s body and scalp. The drowsy atmosphere pushes an idle question past his lips as a slow drip of water ticked the seconds.
“How many people have you killed here?” Strong hands pause in thought for a moment before continuing.
“At least twelve, but as many as fifteen.”
“You don’t even know?” It amuses him even if it doesn’t surprise him.
“Most of my kills were intentional but there were also those that came about out of necessity. I had to leave some altercations without a final tally. Though if I had to guess, I’d say the injuries they were left with would not be easily treated.”
Will thinks about some faceless man out there with injuries that left them disfigured or permanently disabled in some way. Maybe they had an ache in their legs that never left them, or were forced to wear long sleeves year-round to hide the gnarled scars their brush with death had left them. Too scared to turn to the authorities or seek out the man who had mangled them to collect their own pound of flesh. Fighting with Hannibal was likely the last brave thing they ever did.
“You were younger then. It’s amazing how you were able to mislead an entire police agency and do it all over again in Baltimore.”
“I’ve had my share of pursuers. There is an Inspector here who never gave up on his suspicions of me. My departure from Florence came naturally as I began medical school in America, but I may have had to find another reason to leave if he had continued following me through the city as he had taken to doing.”
“He followed you?” Will turned in the tub to face him, angry at the thought of Hannibal being essentially stalked as he went about his days.
“Don’t fret, beloved. A man already sits in prison for my crimes here, just as another sits in prison for my doings in Baltimore. Neither man is me.” The reminder doesn’t soothe the way it's meant to, but the presence of his husband free and unbothered helped. He looks to the ceiling as his head gets gently pulled back and the suds are carefully washed out of his hair.
“What was his name? The man who suspected you?” Will needed a name. Something to hold onto and curse.
“Rinaldo Pazzi. He was an Inspector when I knew him here, but I didn't keep up with his career after I left Florence. He may very well be retired or dead by now.” Hannibal makes this man — Pazzi — seem too inconsequential to keep tabs on, but Will’s hackles are already up.
“Could he have caught you if he kept digging? It would take more than one obsessive Inspector to stop you from doing as you pleased.” He didn't like to think about Hannibal alone in the world, being pursued day in and day out. The idea of that same man now existing again in the same city as their family was even less appealing.
Hannibal moved from behind him to kneel at the side of the tub, facing him. Whatever it is he wants to say, he must want Will to take to heart. “There has only ever been one person capable of entrapping me. The smart thing would have been to avoid his suspicions altogether and leave Baltimore at once. Never see him or his intriguing son again. But as you said, I tend to do as I please.”
The tip of Hannibal’s finger reaches out to glide down the center of Will’s chest, and he’s suddenly feeling too warm in the exposed air of the bathroom. The indignant heat that had been crawling from his belly is repurposed into a desire more real than any storied shadow. Shifting forward in the tub, Will reaches up to loop soaking arms around Hannibal’s dry neck, bringing their faces and chests close together.
“I think I’ve been more than accommodating of what pleases you. I haven’t gotten much sleep on this vacation.”
“You say that as if I am the only instigator responsible. You were quite thorough with me last night, I’ll remind you. I apologize for your lack of beauty sleep, but our days are quite busy, and the nights are the only time I have you to myself.”
“Nothing stopping you now.” Will challenged. With a promising smile, Hannibal lifts him out of the tub and carries his dripping body into the adjoining bedroom.
Will quickly found himself kneeled in the middle of the bed, facing the foot of it with the solid planes of Hannibal’s body supporting him at his back.
“That will do for now I believe.” Hannibal finally removes his fingers from Will’s heated insides after what seems like a very long time. If it were up to him, Hannibal would give him a quick press and stretch before getting down to business. It’s also probably why he’s rarely asked to provide any input on the matter.
The initial feeling of him pressing inside takes Will’s breath as it always does, and he relaxes in degrees against his husband's body until his head is fully rested on the other man’s shoulder. For now, his eyes stay put on the textured ceiling. The slow drag of Hannibal’s cock keeps his head cloudy as he reaches his hands back to grip onto muscular thighs, searching for any point of steadying contact.
“I have a much better view mylimasis.” A hand tilts Will’s chin down and he is met with his own gaze as it reflects back to him from across the room.
On the wall opposite of their bed is a large closet with mirrored sliding doors. Their placement and its intention were unmistakable but Will had managed to escape having to interact with it in this way so far. He knew the second he saw them though, that it would eventually come to this.
He attempts to wrestle his chin out of Hannibal's grip with no luck. Seeing himself in such a state of ruin and dependence isn’t an easy thing for him to do. In fact, he doubts he’ll ever feel completely familiar with the version of himself he sees reflected back. Mouth wide open, he pulls in large breaths like the trout he fishes out of the stream back home. Ensnared just as they were, he has taken the bait that shines so alluringly in his waters and is now the plaything of the predator that set the trap.
One of his husband's large hands stays under his chin to keep him in place, while the other harshly grips his hip, deepening the mark that was already there from the past week. As his body remains captive and is used by the man behind him, his own cock bobs in the open air with each of their rhythmic movements.
“Do you see it now?” Hannibal’s words at his ear take his attention and he meets his eyes in the reflection in front of them. “You have any number of admirers that could satisfy themselves for a lifetime off the vision you make now. But the privilege is mine alone.” Hands move to skim up and down Will’s torso, purposefully avoiding his nipples and lightly scratching a trail down his sternum. If Hannibal presses just a little harder, he’ll have a set to match the one on his back.
Will tenses at the light sting, the hope for more, and at the sensory overload between sight, touch, and Hannibal’s voice; husky now. He’d been holding back, not yet using his usual strength or fully penetrating Will, waiting for some additional reaction. The teasing back and forth of Hannibal’s hips against his backside is enough to keep Will’s blood hot and make him twitch with anticipation. Each glide in is too quickly reversed and they could end up here for as long as Hannibal decides to keep them wanting.
On some other day, Will might be amenable to letting this continue, but tonight he’s too eager for what he knows Hannibal is capable of making him feel. He just needs the right push.
“At least…my admirers…don’t try to lure me to sex clubs.” At the reminder of the unwanted attention and offer they’d previously received, their movements are paused. “Have you ever been to one of those places before? Do you think the people there would still recognize you or would they be too disappointed you brought someone along this time?”
He knows Hannibal has never participated in public clubs like those. Sex had been a weapon for him, wielded in private to trick some (un)lucky partner into believing whatever Hannibal needed them to believe. It wasn’t until Will that he had found someone he could sincerely share his body and mind with and find acceptance for it. They both know this, but the message was received as Will intended it to be.
With a hand in between Will’s shoulder blades, Hannibal pushes him onto his hands and knees before pulling his arms behind him, denying even that small support. A low groan escapes as his previously neglected nipples rub a harsh path into the comforter.
“One day you will learn to mind yourself and think better of antagonizing me when you’re clearly in no position to defend yourself.”
He wouldn't and they both knew as much, but it was best to let the matter lie for now. With a firm grasp, his still damp hair get tugged at until his head was angled to once again meet his own gaze in the mirror in front of them. He can see how his body had been positioned into a complete show of submission, shoulders pressed down into the mattress and rear lifted higher than his head.
Hannibal forwent any previous restraint and enters him fully for the first time tonight. Will is unable to do anything but watch his own shocked expression as his body is breached with a punishing series of thrusts targeting his most sensitive area.
More than his own pleasure, Hannibal's face at this moment provides Will with an image he knows could convince him to be placed in this same humiliating position any number of times. Though his eyes are turned down to look at the body beneath him, his lips are parted to take in quick breaths and a flush sits high on his cheeks, extending into his hairline. Any moment now, Will is sure his husband plans to make purposeful eye contact with him and he will be a goner.
Slowly moving one of his arms, he begins stroking himself, squeezing down at the base to hold off what can only be denied for so long. Hannbal was avoiding looking at him on purpose, fully aware the empath needed that last moment of eye contact to reach his own release. Luckily, Will knew how to make him soft to him again.
“Hannibal.” He quietly calls out, making his voice smaller than necessary. With a first attempt failed, he tries again, adding in his most successful spoken tactic. “Hannibal, please.”
Speaking it usually works, but moaning it as he just did has never failed him. An obvious ploy, but one of the few manipulations allowed in their relationship. With a twitch of the mouth that’s more of a snarl, Hannibal looks to the mirror and meets Will’s own watery blue eyes. The reaction was immediate, and a single stroke is hardly even needed before the younger man’s orgasm leaves him spent and completely pliant on the bed
Never one to waste an opportunity, Hannibal surges forward and maintains their eye contact as he squishes the younger man under him from shoulder to thigh. Will struggles for oxygen a few moments more and watches as Hannibal reaches his own limit. It’s satisfying when he feels the rush of thick liquid spill into him quickly and then in slowing pulses.
They laid pressed together and silent for a minute before Will turns his head to catch Hannibal’s mouth with his own over his shoulder. An apology for taking some of the control away from Hannibal and a gratitude for letting him have it. For a while, they remain stuck together until one of them eventually moves from the bed.
***
After another week of exploration and careful guidance through Florence, the remainder of their honeymoon comes to an end. Soon they arrive back home in Baltimore, and are enjoying their third night back surrounded by the pack.
Their newest member rests comfortably at Will’s feet between them, snoring softly against Max’s back paws. ‘Charlie’ was a beautiful chocolate lab mix with big eyes and a sweet temperament. A wedding gift from Hannibal which he promised had been procured from a reputable shelter prone to overcrowding.
She’d arrived to them in the middle of their second day back home and was well-received by Will and Noah who cooed at her as she took her first timid steps around the home. Father and son loved her immediately. Despite being a gift intended for Will, she and Noah quickly became bonded and he was her favorite person in the house with Will being a close but obvious second.
“Florence was beautiful as always but I am glad to be home.” Hannibal says as he settles into his usual spot on the couch.
“Me too.” Will agreed. “Still, it was a small taste of what we’d have if we ever had to leave here and start new somewhere else. I can’t say the idea lost any of its allure.”
“You need only say the word.” Hannibal promised. The comfortable silence that follows is broken by a sudden memory.
“Alana invited us over for dinner next week. Wants to give us a full tour of the estate and a look at the workspace they’re converting some of it to.” Will had finally gotten through all of his voicemails from his time away and her invitation was a welcome one.
“Now that the Verger name is officially leaving the meat-packing business I wondered where they would turn their entrepreneurial eye to next.”
“Real estate sounds like a good fit. Margot can hire the best contractors around and sell almost any property practically without ever leaving her estate.”
“A good thing since Alana is now pregnant.”
The pair of women had pulled them aside before they left for their Florence honeymoon to share the good news. It was Margot’s way of confirming that their end of the deal had been fulfilled and their partnership in this particular venture had come to its natural conclusion. If he had to guess, Will would assume that Alana was still more or less in the dark about most of what had really gone on while she was in the early stages of recovery.
For the best, in his opinion. He had no personal experience, but pregnancy was always described as a time where the expectant mother was encouraged to stress as little as possible. Learning her mentor and friend were killers and had been manipulating her compassion for them for the better part of a year likely wasn't in anyone’s best interest.
“They’re pretty far from us so maybe we can make a day of it and see what there is to do around their neighborhood.” Will suggests.
“That’s a wonderful idea. I believe there is a local music hall we could enjoy and a restaurant that serves excellent French cuisine.”
For his part, Will is unconvinced. “If Noah sees a snail in his mac and cheese, he’ll lose it.”
“I’ll be sure to thoroughly assess the menu before we make any commitments.” Hannibal loves his son and husband dearly and he’ll always take any opportunity to expand their palette a little at a time.
“Speaking of social engagements, Noah got a call from a friend of his at school while we were gone.”
Best drop the bomb now while he’s in a good mood.
“Oh? Who from?”
“Kid named Leon. They were in the same class last year and I guess they hit it off.”
“Noah has mentioned him a few times this past year. What did he call about?” When Will looks down at their crowd of canines, Charlie has her eyes cracked open and he wonders if she has already learned Noah’s name.
“Just wanted to talk, I guess. Apparently he wants to learn how to fish and asked if Noah could teach him over the summer.”
“I see. I’m glad Noah is branching out and making friends.” The pursing of his lips and crossing of his legs gives away more than he intended.
“And you’re a little annoyed.” Leaving the sentence where it was, he waits for more to come from the other man.
Hannibal doesn’t deny it. “It will be our first summer as a new family. I was hoping to have the time to ourselves. But this would be a good experience for Noah, and hopefully this Leon will prove a dependable friend to him.”
Noah had just started the second grade, and neither of his two main friends from last year had ended up in the same class as him. Will doubted they would be seeing much of each other this year either since the kids were mostly kept in the same groups and classroom they were assigned to.
“We can meet his parents and see about taking the kids out for a quick trip to the stream this month. Test his mettle.” He joked.
“I do hope he isn’t put off by the worms needed for bait. It would be a shame to have to cut our excursion short and return home early.”
“You aren’t fooling anyone.” Will said through his laughter. He knew it would be hard for Hannibal to relinquish any amount of time with Noah, but it was every parent’s burden to balance the melancholy of having to share their child with the world and the joy of seeing them find people their own age to relate to and enjoy the summers with.
Now wasn’t the time to drive the point home, but Will knew afterschool activities and sleepovers were just on the horizon. Despite how desperately he wanted these things for Noah, it would all be brand new territory for everyone. Both himself and Hannibal had both grown up lonely as kids for very different reasons. Will would do everything in his power to ensure his son had a much different experience, and making friends was the first step.
With an agreed upon plan, the newlyweds enjoyed a quiet evening in, and listened to the familiar gust of winds that had been missing in Italy. Life was good in the Graham-Lecter household, and Will vowed to never forget how fortunate he truly was.