I think about this scene a normal amount. I think about what Hannibal must have felt, having Will warm, bloody and pliant finally in his arms, after three years of waiting for him in a sterile cell, where his mind palace proved a paltry substitute for life.
He breathes in Will's scent and feels his body pressing against him. When Will rests his head on Hannibal’s chest his hands clench around Will’s shirt like he’s holding on for dear life, while his expression suggests he’s having something close to a religious experience.
They’ve hunted together, they’ve killed together, and now Will looks at him and says, “it’s beautiful,” and puts his arms around Hannibal.
Against all logic and common sense, Hannibal must have thought, this is it! It’s happening. This is Will’s becoming. He is finally accepted himself and Hannibal. At that moment, Hannibal knows true happiness.
Only to have it snatched from his hands a few seconds later.
This precious thing he thought he had, the thing he’d always desired without knowing—even before meeting Will—he gets to taste it and scent it, right before being plunged into the cold ocean. Because Will would rather they both be dead than be free as monsters together.
I thought about all this a very healthy amount, and it ended up inspiring a very long fic. The story is now finished, and I will be releasing several chapters every week. The first 10 chapters are up.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Fantastic fic!!!
Thanks!! ❤️
I've really hit the jackpot with my readers 😭. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started sharing this long-fic. My biggest fear was that after spending months writing it, I'd be posting into the void. But you guys have been nothing but appreciative and supportive. Your comments often make me laugh and sometimes move me to tears.
I didn't realise how much fun the process of sharing a story like this would be and it's really all down to your interaction with it.
Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to read it so far, and specially to those who shared their thoughts with me. You have no idea how much it means to me to read your comments on every chapter. 😍🥹🥰.
The story is only just getting started, so many more adventures up ahead with these two ridiculous men. ❤️
