for [remarkable_boy]

[thisismydesign]

The past few days have been a little different, ever since Will's therapy session. Hannibal had taken two days off of work, citing a terrible stomach bug, and had taken the time to relax and let himself heal. Let his mind wrap around what had happened

Comments

[remarkable_boy]

"You have to ignore him for a little bit when you walk in a room."

Alana had done her best with the difficult task of handling his pack of strays, but it takes a bit of experience to do it correctly. Dogs are hierarchical animals; they need structure. You can't treat them like you would a person or they'll walk all over you.

Will has told Winston is sit and stay and he's doing it like a good dog. When Hannibal enters the library, however, he goes to stand, earning him a sharp tst! from Will.

Winston sits.

[thisismydesign]

Hannibal looks up from Winston and retracts the baggie of treats he'd been holding out. "So I should save these for later?" He'd found a recipe for home made dog treats and decided to try them out. To show Will he's accepted Winston as part of their home.

He sets the treats on the fireplace mantle, out of nose range of Winston, and settles on the sofa instead. "He's very well behaved."

[remarkable_boy]

"You made dog treats?" Will finds this...he's not sure how he finds this. When did Hannibal turn into some sort of precious person who makes dog treats?

"Maybe they'll be useful when you take him for walks. He has to learn that you are his master, too. Good boy." Winston, at his ease, lies down, looking between Hannibal and Will. "Right now, he probably thinks you are another pet of mine."

[thisismydesign]

"It was something I wanted to try. I have to accept that I have a dog now, so I might as well throw myself into it. Though you may have to come on the first few walks with me, to make sure I'm doing it right."

Hannibal chuckles and spreads his hands with a shrug. "You do have a tendency to collect pets. I could see why Winston might think that."

[remarkable_boy]

"Well, with your hair like that, you do look a bit cuddlier. It's an easy mistake to make." Will shifts a little close to Hannibal on the sofa. "How are you?"

[thisismydesign]

"My stitches are healing nicely, I'll be able to take them out soon. The rope burns are more or less gone. I am thankful that was all you left on my wrists, they have enough markings as is.

Mentally, I was a little off balance the day after. I needed some time to wrap my head around what had happened, but now that I understand it better, and see that your mood has improved since then, I can accept it and move on.

How are you?"

[remarkable_boy]

"I hadn't wanted to leave you with any marks at all. I'm sorry that I had to." They both have enough scars, as far as Will is concerned. "I'm fine, although I find myself regretting what I did to you."

[thisismydesign]

"There's no need." Hannibal presses a kiss to Will's hair. "You needed to avenge yourself for what I'd done to you. Sending someone wasn't enough, you needed to be elbows deep in me before you could be satisfied. I understand."

[remarkable_boy]

"It wasn't that. It wasn't...all that, anyway. I thought trauma was all you responded to. You became a new person after what happened to you when you were young. I wanted you to...become new for me."

[thisismydesign]

"I became a new person not only because of the trauma but because of the care I received after it. You took care of me after breaking me down, and that has made me yours."

[remarkable_boy]

Angling his chin forward, he brushes his nose against Hannibal's cheek. "And are you happy?"

[thisismydesign]

"I am. After Brown's attack I felt unnerved, but I never really feared for my life. With you, I felt on the brink of death and as a result felt such a relief afterwards. Felt so completely alive.

And then you stayed. You bandaged my wounds and held me. And for the first time I felt the possibility of you returning my feelings."

[remarkable_boy]

"I don't know if it's possible to ever return your feelings - I can't know what they are. You are still an enigma to me.

"But I do have feelings of my own. Ones I don't know how to describe."

[thisismydesign]

"People will say we're in love." Hannibal smiles and presses a kiss to the corner of Will's mouth. "You make me feel the same way I tried to describe to you, when you asked why I cried at the opera. You touch a part of me that is so deep and indescribable, no one else can reach it. Only you have that capability."

[remarkable_boy]

"Is that love?" It's an honest question.

[thisismydesign]

"I don't know, Will. I wish I did. But I think it's possible. I think you and I could find love in each other."