Something green. Will smiled and grabbed his favourite scarf.Â
It wasnât that cold out, not really cold enough for a scarf, but it was his accessory of choice - often wearing one regardless of the weather. Some people thought it was pretentious, or a little hipster. Will just liked using scarves to dress up his outfit - something much harder for men than women - and he was never going to be ashamed of that.Â
Even if some had scoffed at him in the past.Â
He sighed. Hesitating before opening the front door. They hadnât even exchanged photos. Will had been initially glad of that - he hated to be judged by his looks. Not that he was hideous. Nope, the problem was he was too pretty. Half the time that was all people were interested in. He was arm candy. They rarely liked the salty asshole that came with the beautiful face. He was smart, sharp. And yet so few actually gave a shit about that. For someone not already great with people, each of these interactions just served to make him more and more antisocial.
What if this guy judged him on his looks as soon as he saw him? Maybe the scarf was a mistake - heâd been told the scarf brought out the flecks of green in his otherwise blue eyes. He sighed again.
Too late really. The only other green thing he owned was a plaid shirt and that was definitely not fit for a date. He swallowed his nerve and left the house.
It would be just his luck to be stood up, really.Â
He had been chatting over the dating site with Hannibal for several weeks. To the point that he was no longer chatting to anyone else, or looking at other profiles. Nope, the only reason he was logging in these days was to talk to the smart and charming man who - just like him - had opted for an obscure profile picture. Willâs was of his dog Winston - because if people werenât interested in Winston then he wasnât interested in them. Hannibalâs was an origami heart. The image of it was seared in his mind.
And now they were finally going to meet.Â
Except, heâd gotten to the restaurant five minutes early and it was now nearly half an hour later. He sat nursing the wine he had ordered, thinking he should have opted for whiskey. He would give it five more minutes, he decided, as he checked his phone again. Nothing. No messages.
Ten minutes later he paid up for the wine and asked for his coat.Â
Maybe Hannibal had seen him and decided against it. Decided that he had no time for such a clearly vain and precious creature - as so many assumed. He knew his face didnât always add up with the personality for some. He had just hoped theyâd been talking long enough for that not to be a factor.Â
Will sighed and took one last look around the restaurant, before heading out.Â
On the street, the air had cooled slightly, and he tugged the scarf a little tighter, though it still wasnât totally necessary. Heâd take a walk and clear his head. Then go home and delete his dating profile. He was better off with just dogs for company.Â
He had been looking down at the scarf and didnât notice someone walking past him until he turned into the man and nearly knocked them both off their feet.Â
âDamn, Iâm sorry. Shit.â Will managed to grab the stranger before he fell to the ground. âIâm sorry about that.â He had pulled the man to him to steady them both and now stood looking into the most amazing maroon eyes. He wasnât keen on a lot of eye contact, but he could lose himself in those deep, dark, pools.Â
Will was only vaguely aware that they were still clinging to each other.Â
âMy fault, Iâm running late, I should haveâŠâ the words, spoken in the thick and smooth accent, trailed off.Â
Will could feel his heart pounding in his chest. They were still holding each other.Â
Like lovers. Will tried not to think that but did anyway.Â
The man smiled, sharp teeth strangely mesmerising. Will felt his cheeks burn and he averted his eyes. As he lowered them he saw the purple scarf and grinned. Another scarf fan.Â
The realisation hit him hard and he automatically tightened his grip in response. He swallowed hard.Â
âHannibal?â He asked warily, raising his eyes back up.Â
The manâs smile widened and his own grip tightened.Â
âWill.â He breathed out the name.Â
Will was sure his heart skipped a little beat.Â
Hope you like it @hannigramsolace :)
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