The house was quiet when Hannibal came home. The lights were on, the car was still there, and the dogs were inside. But there was no sign of his husband.
It was routine for Will to greet him at the door. A sweet kiss was shared then they would explain their day.
And yet the omega wasn’t here.
Unperturbed Hannibal entered the kitchen. Will would pop up eventually.
His footsteps clacked softly on the tile before making a sudden pause. There in the kitchen was a hatch on the floor left wide open.
Hannibal’s blood went cold. Will had found his basement.
Granted it was going to happen sooner or later in fact he wanted Will to know the truth but he wasn’t sure if now was the best time for it to be revealed.
It’s only been six months since Will gave birth to their daughter Raven. The bond between an omega and their child isn’t one to be taken lightly. If Will believed him to be a threat to their child then Will would be sure to fight him.
Opening a drawer Hannibal removed a small knife.
He didn’t wish to cause harm to his mate but he also refused to be imprisoned.
He walked down the steps stealthy and looked around. The sent of his omega hovered in the air. It was strong but not strong enough to sugggest Will was still there. Which meant Will must have just found out a few minutes before he arrived.
Human beings where hanged on a large hook like pigs. Ready and waiting for their turn to be cut.
The door to the study opened. Hannibal’s eyes searched the plush seats and the wooden bookshelves but saw no sign of untamed curls.
Hannibal checked the storage room. It was repurposed as a space for Will to work on his fish knots. It too was empty.
Finally Hannibal reached the second floor. Down the hallway a door was opened just a crack and light could be seen. As he got nearer the sound of singing and soft mumbles of gibberish grew louder.
In the room was Will gently rocking Raven to sleep.
He sat in a rocking chair humming. His demeanor projecting joy and relaxment.
Hannibal wasn’t sure what game Will was playing. Had he already called the cops? Was he expecting an explanation? Did he plan on killing him? The gun rested on the table less than three feet from Will did not escape Hannibal’s attention.
It was his decision to wait.
“You’re home early.” Will stated his eyes not leaving his child.
“One of my clients canceled at the last minute.”
Will hummed in recognition.
“You found the basement.” Hannibal cut to the point.
“I did. I must tell you it was quite a shock.”
“All this time when you were disappearing in the dead of night or coming home late in different clothing with ridiculous excuses of spills….” Will stands up and walks over to the Bassett and placed in his sleeping daughter. “I thought you were having an affair.”
At the word affair Hannibal’s brows furrowed and his lips drew together tightly.
Will didn’t notice as he played with Raven’s hair.
“Everyone always talks about how an alpha begins to stray when his omega becomes pregnant. I get fat and lazy and nag too much and you eventually find comfort in the bed of another. So, oddly enough when I discovered your secret and stared at all the dead bodies I felt relieved.”
It was then Will looked up and made eye contact
Hannibal searched expecting to see fear or hatred but there was none. Just love and contentment in his partner's eyes.
“I take that means you haven’t called uncle Jack?”
Will shakes his head. “No. But whether or not that changes depends on you.”
Grabbing the gun swiftly, Will made a show of loading it then pulling down the safety.
“Whether you bleed out on this floor or continue life as a happy family is based on your honesty.”
Hannibal’s gaze became cold and clinical. He no longer resembles the adoring husband Will knew.
“Are you the Chesapeake Ripper?”
Hannibal contemplated for a moment. The cat was already out of the bag. It wouldn’t hurt to be honest for once.
“Have you been feeding me human flesh?”
Will appeared thoughtful as he boldly swaggered into Hannibal’s space. “Million dollar question.”
Hannibal remained still as the gun was placed at his head.
He could disarm him. Will’s grip was firm but his stance was open. A shot might fire but he could easily redirect it from him. But in doing so a fight would ensue and any chance at a happy ending would be spoiled.
“Was any of it real? Did you mean it when you proposed?”
“Will- “Hannibal tried to say.
“Did you mean it when you said ‘I love you’?”
“Of cours-“ How could he think his devotion was a lie?
“Was anything about our relationship not a cover to you?” Will’s voice increased towards the end.
His uncharacteristic outburst silenced the room.
Hannibal felt his heart beating rapidly. He could see doubt and pieces of his plan of his dream came crashing to the floor.
And as much as he wished it didn't, his chest burned with the knowledge of his mate being in pain. Of the possibility that Will would leave him. Whether it was his own feelings or a byproduct of being bonded Hannibal wasn’t sure.
“Of course there was.” Hannibal said again softer this time.
“I never considered the possibility of falling in love or getting attached to anyone. It was beneath me. I never tried to be seen because I believed no one could both see me and accept me.”
Hannibal felt his eyes mist and he was surprised at how truthful everything was.
“Then I met you and my view on life had begun to change. I envisioned a future…with you.” Dark browns met light blues and they were locked in place. Hannibal maintained eye contact as he got down on his knees.
“I have the deepest feelings for you Will and they go so much further than love. I had intended to tell you the truth but once we got married and started conceiving I was afraid of destroying what we had built.” Hannibal’s eyes drifted over to the crib which remained silent despite the previous outburst.
Will’s followed the same path before returning to Hannibal.
“You mean the world to me. If you asked I would pluck the moon and the star-“
“Ok I get it. Cut out all the damn poetry.”
Hannibal frowned at the interruption of opening his heart.
Will replaced the safety and placed the gun into a drawer. A sudden wail caused him to drift over to the crib.
He was ignored as Will favored lifting Raven before making a disgust sound at the smell of her diaper.
Will finally seemed to care for his presence as he walked toward him. Hannibal rising was given a stinky child.
“Go clean her up and put her to sleep. When you're done make me a snack.”
“Will wait! What about our conversation?”
Will paused in front of their shared bedroom. “My feet are swollen.” He said not missing a beat. “My hair needs to be washed. And I haven’t had an orgasim all day. I suggest you carry out your marital duties quickly or I’ll have to get a replacement.”
The slam of the door left Hannibal in surprise.
He glanced from the door to Raven and from Raven to the door.
He then made his way to the bathroom and began performing his duties.
