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Falling was easy. One must only let go and surrender to the waves below to fall endlessly into its peaceful serenity. The ocean offered no promises, no sorrows, no more questioning if this was the right choice. It was unforgiving, relentless in its constant state of giving and taking. Will and Hannibal surrendered to the unknown. Neither of them cared if they would survive or not. That wasn’t important. The simple act of falling in each other’s arms was the only thing they considered important.
Will held onto Hannibal, his fingers gripping his body tightly. All there was was Hannibal. He was the only thing in the existence of creation to ever matter. The only being to have ever walked the earth that Will wanted to die with. He welcomed death, falling to the waves below.
Everything had led to this moment. Will had wondered before he let his body weight hurl them off the cliff if it always had to come to this. If he had known how beautiful it would be, would he have let go sooner? But how could he have known? How could one man see into the darkness and truly know peace? As Will fell into the black oblivion of the ocean, he remembered every moment that brought him here.
The knowing, the desire, the fear of himself and how he felt about Hannibal. Truths he had yet to accept came forth from his mind. Beautifully written on his soul, a truth he let wash over him. Blessing him with the divine knowledge, the privilege that he was loved by Hannibal. Giving in to all of it, Will closed his eyes seconds before hitting the water. The cold rush sharp against his skin. Pulling him under the waves. He and Hannibal could no longer hold on to each other, being ripped apart by the unforgiving sea.
The feeling of peace fled Will’s mind. Reaching out, panicking that he was no longer touching Hannibal. He screamed, water rushing into his mouth. The waves pushed him deeper into its black depths. Struggling to stay afloat, Will fought. Suddenly, he had a desire to stay alive. He had to stay alive. Hannibal had to be alive. They had to get far away from here and exist together. He had come so far in his self-realization. It couldn’t be for nothing. To have only held Hannibal once, knowing how deeply loved he was. The thought alone was enough to destroy Will.
Will came up for air only to be pushed under the waves again. Thrown under the water, he collided with the side of the cliff. The sight of his stab wound ripping. It pulled at his face, the pain so sharp, so intensely deep that he began to fade. His body stopped trashing, and he surrendered to the ocean. Letting go, peace came to him again. Smiling, letting his body take him further into the black emptiness, Will knew how loved he had been. And it was enough.
Will’s eyes snapped open. Gasping for air, he felt sand beneath his hands. Choking, his throat flooded with salt water. It stung his eyes, filled his nostrils, coating his tongue. As his vision came back, he gasped. Forcing his lungs to remember how to breathe. Shivering from the frigid water, Will turned over. Every muscle screaming out in agony. Confusion swept over him. He didn’t know where the fall began or how it ended. It had been lost as he collided with the water.
“Will,” Hannibal choked, his voice hoarse.
Looking across from him, Will saw Hannibal lying on the shore. Looking at him like there was nothing else in the world. Wil tried to move again. Attempting to crawl over to Hannibal. He needed him. Needed to feel close to him once more. Nothing was certain. The future was unknown. But Will knew that if he was to die on that shore, he would do so in the arms of Hannibal. They would be found eventually, holding onto each other so tightly that bones would have to be broken to separate them. It was the third time that night Will accepted death.
Will coughed, his lungs and throat burning. “Hannibal.” The name sounded like a desperate prayer on his tongue.
The water had washed away most of the blood that coated Hannibal’s face. Will watched as he attempted to move closer to him. Barely able to move, Hannibal crawled over to Will, gasping with each motion of his body. Sitting up on his knees, Hannibal shook as he reached out, gently touching Will’s face. Will screamed at the searing pain, causing Hannibal to pull back.
”Will, you need-” Hannibal paused, steadying his breath.
Looking up, Will saw that Hannibal’s face was laced with fearful concern. His vision blurred, tears coming to his eyes as the pain grew worse.
“You need to go to the hospital," Hannibal said.
“No!”
”Will, listen to me. You need to go. You have a zygomatic fracture. The skin has shredded, and you are in need of medical attention.”
“I’m okay, I’m okay.” It was the truth. He was. Will could stay in that pain forever, dying on that small shore and not regret a moment of it.
“My remarkable boy, you are not okay.”
Taking several deep, painful breaths, Will tried to sit up. Hannibal held onto him, offering him support and balance. The touch was enough to ignite the will to live inside of him once more. As Will sat up onto his knees, the pain morphed, and red filled his right eye. Once more, he held onto Hannibal. Grabbing at any part of him he could, pulling him close. Resting his head on his chest, he listened to Hannibal’s heartbeat.
“I’m okay,” Will said softly. “We’re okay.”
Then something came over Will. A feeling, a need, that had been brewing inside of him for a long time now. Ever since he stood in Hannibal’s kitchen, finally ready to make a choice. A chance he never got. It had taken him a long time to decipher what that feeling was, what it meant. But he knew now. It was Hannibal, all along. This whole time, looking him right in the face. Hannibal had been the only one to have ever seen him. He saw through the facade he put on for the world and for himself. Saw through the mask, and looked into the eyes of darkness hidden within Will. To be seen by such beauty was like being seen by all the forces of the universe. To see into time and space itself.
Shaking, Will was merely inches from Hannibal, so close he could feel his breath on him. All it would take is one small motion to close the space. But to close the space would mean there was no going back. He could never walk away again. It would be impossible. To have known such a man as Hannibal Lecter, to have kissed such raw beauty. It was something Will would never be able to forget.
“Will?” Hannibal asked, his heart pounding in his ears.
“Promise me, we will be okay.”
”We’ll be okay.”
”No, Hannibal, I mean it.” Will paused, his throat sore. “Promise me that we’ll go far away from here and just be. Together.”
” Wherever you wish to go, we will. I promise.”
Will closed the space between them, his lips crashing into Hannibal’s. This was it. This was what it felt like to be loved by someone so otherworldly, so far from human reach that it was impossible to truly know. Will parted his lips, letting Hannibal deepen the kiss. A raw, primal yearning took hold of his mind. A new strength surged in his body as he tried to pull Hannibal even closer to him.
Touch-starved and longing for Hannibal, Will surrendered to the kiss. This is what he had been needing for so long. He let his hands roam, touching every part of Hannibal’s shoulders, arms, and back. Hungering for him, Will forgot to breathe until he was forced to pull back from the kiss. Gasping for air, the pain no longer prevented him from thinking or moving. He cared little for it, pushing through the agony, he looked at Hannibal.
“I love you,” Will declared. Unafraid to say it. Knowing and living in the words.
“I love you,” replied Hannibal.
Swallowing, Will took no time in kissing Hannibal once more. Tears came to his eyes as he let the words fill his soul. He had known Hannibal loved him, Bedelia had confirmed it. But to hear it from him made it real. Will had never thought much about what it meant to be in love. He wasn’t sure if he had ever truly been in love. He had loved Molly, but it wasn’t the same. The thought of her didn’t cause his stomach to clench, his heart to race, or his mind to swim in the same way it did when he thought of Hannibal.
“I need-“ Will started to say, letting the words fall from his lips without a second thought.
“What do you need?”
”I need you,” continued Will.
“I’m right here.”
”No, please, Hannibal.”
Will wasn’t entirely sure of what he was saying, but he knew what he felt. A deep desire rose up inside of him. One that he had kept hidden from himself for so long. The right words refused to come together. He didn’t know how to express exactly what he needed. But then, Hannibal kissed his neck, and Will knew Hannibal needed the same. Electricity sparked throughout his body, and he felt more alive than he had ever been in his life before.
Hannibal’s hands made their way down Will’s body, desperately grabbing at every inch he could. Will felt his head swim, whispering ‘I love you’ as Hannibal’s teeth grazed the delicate skin on his neck. He felt his cock twitch, pressed against his soaking pants. Hannibal pulled back and looked into Will’s eyes with hunger.
“You always have a choice, Will. I will never deny you that. If we go forward with what we are going towards, you cannot take it back. Chiyoh will find us, and take us to safety. Or you can stay here, and wait for the FBI to find you.”
”How long until she finds us?”
Hannibal smiled. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen her since that night in Wolf Trap when I carried you home. But she’s still here, still waiting. She’s free now and will come. I know she will.”
”And the FBI?”
”They will track us down before the night is over. But if you decide to go with me, we will be long gone by then.”
”You,” replied Will. “I choose you. I should have before. I’m so sorry I didn’t, Hannibal. I wish I could take it back. I love you. Please.”
“This is not the ideal situation for such a thing, Will,” Hannibal said, gently brushing the hair from Will’s forehead. “You don’t know what you are asking of me.”
”I know what I’m asking.”
”It wouldn’t be pleasant. Not at first.”
Will shook his head, not caring. “I don’t care. I need you.”
Will had never considered sleeping with another man. He wasn’t opposed to it, but the thought hadn’t crossed his mind until he met Hannibal. He had kissed another man only once before. It was a kiss of heated passion and curiosity. But that was years ago, and the memory of the sensation on his lips was just a thought now, and no longer a clear picture. But with Hannibal, it was different. He thought about it, imagined it in his mind. He woke up, covered in sweat, many nights from the images his mind conjured in his sleep. There was no question that this was what he wanted, if this was what he wanted to be with Hannibal.
Suddenly, Hannibal began to tear at Will’s clothes, and in return, Will did the same to him. Wet clothes are hard to get out of, but they were able to do it even through the pain. The cold no longer bothering Will, having grown used to the feeling against his skin. Hannibal looked at the man in front of him, his eyes roaming down his body. He let his fingers graze the scar across Will’s belly.
“I have few regrets in my life,” began Hannibal. “Every scar I’ve ever left on you is each one of them.”
”I’m not sorry,” replied Will, truthfully. “Each one brought us to this moment.”
”But how beautiful that moment could have been if I hadn’t-“
Will kissed him, stopping Hannibal’s words. He knew what would come next would not be simple. If things were different, if they were not injured, and dry, it would be easier. In a different life, he knew it would have happened in Hannibal’s bedroom, warm in front of the fire. But that was not the life he had.
Will let his hands move down Hannibal’s torso until he felt his cock brush against him. He heard Hannibal gasp, his hips moving into the touch. A new feeling took hold of Will, a new deep need within him igniting inside. Somehow, as if he knew exactly what Will was thinking, Hannibal gently lowered him to the ground. Settling between Will’s legs, Hannibal leaned down and kissed his lips once more. Overcome with desire, Will found his strength, wrapping his legs around Hannibal’s.
Desperate for the touch of their bodies together, he cried out into Hannibal’s kiss at the friction. He didn’t know how badly he had needed this. He wanted to weep when Hannibal sat up onto his knees. The loss of weight on him was heartbreakingly devastating. But when he watched Hannibal put two fingers in his mouth, the feeling vanished. He stared up with wide eyes, nodding once to tell Hannibal he wanted this.
“I told you, this will not be as pleasant as we both want at first,” said Hannibal. “Do you trust me?”
”Yes.”
Positioning himself so he could both touch and kiss Will at the same time, Hannibal’s finger rubbed at Will’s entrance. Will moaned at the touch, gasping for air. Hannibal moved slowly, his pad of his fingertip slowly relaxing Will’s body. Then, suddenly, he pushed in, and Will cried out. His body seemed to know what to do, his hips rocking as Hannibal pushed his finger into him deeper. Will needed more. He needed to be stretched and filled by Hannibal. Soon, Hannibal gave him just that. A second finger filled his hole, scissoring to open him as much as possible.
Hannibal was correct; it was not pleasant. But the pain was insignificant compared to everything else. Taking his time, Hannibal worked him open. Under different circumstances, they could take their time. But right now, they only had each other, and that was enough. Hannibal pulled his fingers out, leaving Will empty and needing more. Will pleaded, whimpering softly for Hannibal to not stop. But Hannibal just shushed him.
Sitting back on his knees, Hannibal spread Will’s legs again. He spit on his fingers, coating Will’s hole once more. He then did the same with his cock, and lined it up with Will’s entrance. Taking a deep breath, Will knew this was it. The point of no return. He was giving his body willingly to Hannibal. As he exhaled, Hannibal pushed in, the tight ring of muscle stretching out around his cock. Will nearly screamed, not in pain but at the raw pleasure coursing throughout his body.
He would have been lying if Will ever said he never thought about this moment. But in his mind, it was slow, gentle movements. Taking their time to truly know each other’s bodies. But that was not the moment he was in now. Something took hold of both of them, and desperate, carnal desire took over. Hannibal pushed in, inch-by-inch until he was completely inside of Will. Unable to hold back, Hannibal let the hunger take over.
Holding Will’s legs around him, Hannibal began to fuck into him. With long, deep strokes, he thrust his hips. Slamming into Will without hesitation. He leaned down, kissing Will passionately. They moaned into each other’s kiss. Their bodies worked together as they surrendered to the sensation filling them. He had never known pleasure as intense as this. Every sensation in his body on high as Hannibal filled him, stretching him out. Will held on, his knuckles whiting out as he clawed at Hannibal’s back. Tongue and teeth clashed together as they kissed. Only pulling back to draw in a breath. Needing each other desperately, they became lost to the pleasure.
Will felt his stomach muscles tremble; his thighs began to shake. With each push and pull in and out of him, Hannibal’s cock pressed against Will’s prostate. Moving faster, Hannibal fucked into him even harder. A fire burned inside of Will. He tried to keep his eyes open, needing to see the way Hannibal looked at him like he was the most beautiful creature in all of existence. But as the pleasure grew, he closed his eyes and let it wash over him. Will came hard, his cock pressed between their bodies. He was certain he had never felt that much intense pleasure as he did. Hannibal wasn’t far behind him, thrusting into him feverishly.
Hannibal slowed his pace, and shockwaves of pleasure rippled throughout Will’s body. Suddenly and without warning, Will felt empty as Hannibal slipped from his body and collapsed beside him. Will’s chest heaved as he breathed heavily. He could lie like that forever, he thought. He wanted to experience this moment for the rest of his life. To know, to see, to feel, Hannibal was perfection.
“I love you,” Will said again. He never wanted to stop saying it.
“I love you, too, Will. I always have.”
Feeling Hannibal lying beside him, Will felt a new peace come over him. There was no returning from this moment. He never wanted to take any of it back. He wanted to always be within the warmth and safety of Hannibal’s love. Gathering himself as much as he could, Will sat up. The pain coming back to him. Looking out into the black distance of the ocean, he saw a light inching closer to them.
“What is that?” He asked, still out of breath.
Sitting up, Hannibal looked. “A way to safety… and freedom.”
Will knew that it didn’t matter where they would go. The only thing that truly mattered was that they were together. He knew that once they left that tiny piece of land at the bottom of the cliff, they would leave behind their old lives. They would never again be able to return to the places they once called home. Will would walk away from Molly, the FBI, his dogs, all of it. He would do so without remorse and without looking back. Somehow, he knew that there would never be a moment for the rest of his life where he would question if the choices he made this night were the right ones.
One Year Later
Will woke to the sound of music coming from within the house. The laid in bed, listening to the song Hannibal had been composing for some time now. He had heard the progression as it came to Hannibal, letting it flow from his mind to his hands on his harpsichord. Will found it a beautiful way to wake up, to hear such a melody composed of devotion and love. A song meant only for his ears, dedicated to his heart.
The last year had been one of many struggles. The FBI was searching for them, spreading their photos and information all over the globe. They were lucky and able to find a secluded place to call home. Will learned quickly how to blend in with the crowds, going unnoticed by those around him. He had to in order to survive without being caught.
These days, while their freezer was filled, Hannibal could no longer display his cruel art to the world. He changed it into his music and drawings. Their house always sang of love, the walls decorated with art. Will felt the love Hannibal had for him all around him. It filled every atom of his being.
Getting up, Will made his way to Hannibal’s study. His bare feet were cold on the hardwood. Sitting down next to Hannibal, he rested his head on his shoulder. Hannibal finished what he had left of the unfinished song. And then the house fell silent.
“It’s beautiful,” Will said.
“It’s not done. Save your opinions for when I have completed it.”
Picking his head up, Will looked into Hannibal’s eyes. When most people saw Will for the first time, they flinched. While his facial injuries healed, the scar they left behind made him hard to look at. But Hannibal never flinched. He looked at Will as though he were the most beautiful, perfect creature he had ever seen.
“When will it be done?” Will asked, curious to know when he could finally hear it in its entire perfection.
”On our anniversary, mano gražus mažas ėriukas.”
Will smiled, his scar tugging lightly. “We have an anniversary?” He asked, teasingly. They had never said if and when they got together. It was never a debate between them. That night at the bottom of the cliff, they both knew what they were the moment they first kissed. Will realized that was when their anniversary was. ”Oh.”
Taking Will’s face in his hands, Hannibal gently kissed him before resting his forehead on his. “I love you,” he said softly.
“I love you, too, Hannibal.”
Will had gone his whole life without anyone ever seeing who he was behind the mask he wore. But Hannibal saw through it. He had broken down the walls Will built, and helped him to become who he was meant to be. It was a peaceful feeling to be known. Every choice Will had made since the moment he first met Hannibal had led to this moment in time. And not a single moment of it did he regret. It had brought him here, to this singular feeling of love. Hannibal had been right; they were okay. They would continue to survive, living out the rest of their days in serenity. Will had finally accepted the gift Hannibal once longed to give him. He saw him, knew him in a way no other human ever had. And in return, Will gave him the same gift.