#blake adler

[sheepstudiosstuff]

Did I cook w this one?

[pickledpascal]

Sweet Nothing

Chapter One: The Loneliest Time

Summary: Doctor Blake Adler is new at the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Department. She's to be a part of the team and get as comfortable as possible before being thrown in the field by Jack Crawford. Beforehand, though, she must meet everyone.... A certain curly haired man catches her attention.

Warnings: Light ableism (?)

Word Count: 2.2k

Sweet Nothing Masterlist

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Being in the FBI was not for everyone. During time at Quantico, you could see dead bodies cut up a hundred different ways after just one class. There’s a reason not everyone becomes an agent, seeing bodies bloodied or drained or eaten doesn’t get easier. Certainly not for someone who’s squeamish. The select few trainees that make it fully into the Bureau don’t last long. Sometimes they die on the job, others quit with their sanity intact. For some, though, the job is perfect for them. They don’t have time to be doing anything else so they choose to save lives. Some even find it rewarding because of that. Or the secret, fourth, thing. The FBI could make a perfect cover if you’re a murderer….

Thankfully, for Jack Crawford, Doctor Blake Adler is not. She’s a highly decorated young woman, with two PhDs–one in Psychiatry and the other in Criminology–and passed her FBI training with flying colors. Which meant she was perfect to fill a missing spot in the Behavioral Analysis Unit. Sure, Jack had Doctor Bloom and Doctor Lecter on call for anything he may need but Doctor Adler would be easier to get to and may even understand the people they’re going after much easier than them.

“Thank you for the position, Mr. Crawford.” Blake smiled, hands behind her back in a kind gesture. She wasn’t exactly looking at his eyes, Jack could tell. But the effort was appreciated. 

Jack let out a small huff of air as a light laugh, “Just call me Jack, Doctor Adler.”

“Then you can call me, Blake.” The young woman countered with a light laugh of her own. As she adjusted her glasses on her face, she asked, “I must admit, I still feel like a trainee. I have no real world experience. So why me? The Behavioral Unit is…. Very tricky to get into.”

Jack shook his head as he opened the door for Blake, “You’ve helped me more than you know, Doctor. While small, every bit helps when trying to catch a killer.” He admitted, guiding the young woman inside. “First, I’d like you to get acquainted with the team. At the moment, there’s nothing big happening so your first real day won’t be until tomorrow. Got it?”

“Yes, sir.” Blake winked, waving lightly as Jack retreated into his office. The sealed glass work stations were pretty much empty besides one that had a few people working on a body. “Slow day indeed, huh.” She whispered to herself before looking down at the papers in her hand. Jack, being the head of the Behavioral Unit, compiled a list of those Blake would work best with. 

4. Brain Zeller – Seems arrogant, Doctor Adler hates the type to believe they’re smarter than they are. Will treat Doctor Adler too harshly.

True, Blake pushed back against a lot of her teachers in the Bureau and outside it because of this.

3. Jimmy Price – Smart, but almost too kind. Doctor Adler hates those who are too kind for no reason. Or more specifically, will try to tiptoe around her. 

Blake pursed her lips from the smile that threatened to form. Jack got it right again. He did have her profile which told him all the nitty gritty details that she didn’t want to think about.

2. Beverley Katz – Similarly to Goldilocks, these two would make a great fit and are ‘just right.’ Will not treat Doctor Adler too harshly but won’t treat her as if she’s too fragile either. Personalities match almost 95%.

Blake cocked her head a little at the words in front of her eyes. She was only number two? Then who was number one if Beverley was supposedly ‘just right’ for her. 

1. Will Graham – Will has a special insight to crime scenes that it seems Doctor Adler and him share. However, Will Graham does not necessarily like working with others. Especially those who may try to get inside his head. May take some time before they truly start to mesh together but they should be a perfect match after initial bonding takes place.

The doctor studied the words for a moment. “Looks like I need to find Will Graham….” She murmured, mostly to herself.

“Will Graham isn’t usually here unless the Chesapeake Ripper has decided to show up.” A voice piped up. Said voice was attached to a woman with black wavy hair and dark eyes. Has she ever taken that leather jacket off? Seemed like it was well loved.

Blake gave her a courtesy smile, “You must be Beverley Katz. I’m Doctor Blake Adler, a new addition to the team. I guess.” She explained.

Beverley hummed softly and nodded at Blake, “Will is usually in one of the lecture halls. Not sure which one, never visited him myself but I’m sure you could ask one of the students roaming around the halls.” Well, thank god for Beverley Katz. Not one to mince words.

“Thank you, Ms. Katz. I look forward to working with you.” Blake turned, her face dropping a bit as she adjusted the weight on her shoulders and began walking towards the lecture halls. 

Sure, Blake has heard of Will Graham before but she’d never had the opportunity to take one of his classes. The seats always filled up, though she’s not sure if it’s because he was a good teacher or because plenty of his students found him attractive. Either way, she’s never met Will Graham but it felt like years in the making. Classmates in other classes talked about him non-stop. His way of commanding a classroom by his movements or by his voice or simply by the pictures he decided to put on his slides.

Just in time for the end of class, Blake entered Will’s lecture hall as students were exiting. The young woman huffed softly as a few men bumped into her, rolling her eyes as she kept treading forward. She knew what she looked like. Blake was a trainee fresh out of Quantico and now she was running errands for the Behavioral Unit. At least, her 6 foot tall height made her intimidating to most or else she would have been trampled out of the classroom. 

Jealousy really is a disease. 

"Class just ended." The man at the desk stated, voice monotone. His resting voice seemed careless but also…. Careful. And tired. So, so tired. 

Blake narrowed her eyes at the shorter man, pursing her lips. That had to be Will Graham, the name matched his appearance well. His hair was a deep brown, curled on his head and unkept as if it was begging to be touched, eyes were blue and held a certain sadness in the skin around it. And his unkept stubble. All in all, Will Graham was attractive like the rumors said but he also looked…. Sad. Like maybe he was beaten down by seeing so much in his life. Perhaps that's why he became a teacher instead. Except, he certainly wasn't just a teacher anymore.

"I know I look it but I'm actually here on behalf of Jack Crawford. I'm new in the Behavioral Unit." Blake explained after all the students left, walking closer to the desk Will was perched on. "He believes we would make a fine crime solving pair." She joked softly, avoiding straight on eye contact.

Will noticed immediately what she was trying to do. "You don't have to…. Try to not act normal." He smiled lightly, almost pained. "Did Jack tell you?"

"No. But I don't like eye contact much either, it's very…. Taxing. Don't know exactly where to look or for how long." Blake shrugged, looking away from Will to her hands for a moment. Something about her jacket seemed to be much more interesting to look at. "Doctor Blake Adler." 

Will hummed in response, "The famous trainee that helped Jack Crawford himself on a few cases." He joked, cocking an eyebrow as he finally looked up fully to take in Blake's appearance. 

Doctor Adler was six feet tall, which was more accentuated whenever she wore heels, deep forest green eyes, short brown hair with blue at the ends that was styled to be slicked back and away from the eyes. The blue dye in her hair was faded which insinuated she hadn’t redyed it in a few months. Will also noticed a light dusting of freckles on her nose as well as black ink ever so slightly peeking from under one of her sleeves. Blake was…. Astonishing. And Will doesn't describe just anyone like that.

"How does it feel?" Will asked, smirking slightly. "To be famous even before you became a real agent?"

Blake shrugged, leaning against the desk next to Will. "Weird. I don't think I helped that much but then Jack keeps saying it really helped him and I don't know why." She admitted, looking off to a fixed point in the paneled walls.

"We think differently." Will could tell. It took a few seconds, Blake was harder to read than most others but he could tell why Jack wanted Blake to meet him. They were similar. Very similar. "And sometimes Jack hasn't thought about things the way we do." The man pursed his lips, letting his eyes fall to his lap.

Blake let out a light laugh, shaking her head. "Jack is smart but he can only do so much." She agreed, running a hand through her hair as she felt a few strands come out of place.

Will watched this from the corner of his eyes, admiring the way her hand glided through her hair. He noticed her nails were painted black and that there was a small tattoo on her right thumb. A small crescent moon, filled with black ink.

This moment was cut off by the lecture hall door opening. A woman in a long sleeved floral dress stood in the doorway. 

"Doctor Bloom." Will's gaze hardened lightly, standing from the desk. After all, Will knew he was unstable but Alana couldn't give him another reason….

Alana's gaze traveled from Will to the taller woman next to him. "You must be Doctor Adler." She smiled politely, though not that authentically.

Tension was all Blake could feel in that moment. Time to back out. "Yes, and you must be Doctor Bloom as Will said." She nodded, "Unfortunately, I believe Jack wants me in his office so I can't properly say hello. We'll probably see each other again soon though." With that, Blake gave Alana a light smile and high-tailed it out of there.

Once back at Jack's office, Blake let out a breath after closing the glass door. She shook off the weirdness from earlier and rolled her neck to release some tension.

"Work drama already? On your first day?" Jack asked with an amused chuckle from behind Blake.

The doctor rolled her eyes as she turned towards him. "Not my drama. Will Graham and Alana Bloom drama. I sensed some…. Unresolved tension." Blake's lips upturned in disgust.

"Not a fan of kissing then, Doctor?" Jack's eyes held an amused glare.

Blake shrugged as she sat by his desk. "Not exactly. Never kissed anyone before. Not one that counted anyway." She shook her head, "Enough of that. Do I get my own office? Or is that reserved for special agents?"

Jack rolled his eyes and closed the folder he was working on. "Since you're a special case and you requested an isolated office, yes you do get one." He explained.

Doctor Adler, while possibly the most promising agent to be added to the Bureau, could be the most unpredictable as well. Sure, Will Graham–who has self-diagnosed himself on the autism spectrum–has worked for the FBI since…. Well, forever, the Bureau has not had someone clinically diagnosed on the autism spectrum in the field and working of the Behavioral Unit full time. Blake Adler is sort of a test run, to see if people like her can handle it long term. 

Knowing this, of course, Blake had some requests. Sometimes, she likes to isolate herself. It can help her to think or simply, if she gets overstimulated, it gives her some place to go. While at work, there aren't many places to go when having a nervous breakdown because something happened that she didn't want besides the bathroom. But then people might hear Blake crying. That is something she doesn't need. So a private office was a must have. The Bureau didn't want Blake's talent to go to waste, so they obliged enthusiastically.

A start to a wonderful relationship always starts with boundary setting. 

Doctor Blake Adler – PhD in Physcology and Criminology

Height: 6’0

Eye Color: Green

Hair Color: Brown

Profile: Psych Eval makes it evident Doctor Adler is on the autism spectrum but this knowledge isn’t new to the Bureau. Has shown she’s an asset to the Bureau and seems to not pose a threat to herself or others. Stable enough to be considered for a position. Although her particular but subtle hate of authority may make it difficult for her to take orders. As well as her appearance may be intimidating when questioning witnesses, unfortunately there is no way to rectify this.

[pickledpascal]

Sweet Nothing

Chapter Seven: Her Faith in Love is Better On Sunny Days

Summary: After trial, Will is on house arrest. He is sentenced for a year with mandatory therapy sessions. But Blake has a plan to perhaps break him out of this.

Warnings: Lots of talks of vomitting, 18+ themes, Hannibal eats people.

Word Count: 4.2k

Sweet Nothing Masterlist

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The rest of Will's trial seemed to go well. No more murders or severed ears coming in the mail. Which Blake would classify as a win even if it was a small victory. Though, most murder cases didn't have the sheer amount of controversy surrounding it. So Blake would take what she could get.

On the day the trial was settled, Blake was there. Even though it scared her to no end. Blake feared hearing the decision, it could put Will in that hospital for life if it went any particular way. Blake took a deep breath as the judge prepared his statement.

"Given the evidence provided and lines of witnesses, we hereby grant Will Graham freedom by house arrest for exactly one year." Something Matt decided to put on there for the sole fact that Will didn't seem all that dangerous. "I cannot say, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Will did anything in sound mind so he must be monitored by others. Not only does this include physical monitoring but also mental. Due to these requirements, I ask that Doctor Blake Adler watch over Will Graham and that Doctor Hannibal Lecter do therapy sessions within Will Graham's home.' 

Blake blinked. Of course, this was something she wanted but…. Well, she couldn't exactly turn it down since it was court ordered and she didn't mind spending time with Will. She just…. Didn't expect this. She expected someone like Alana Bloom to be the one to monitor Will. Alana was much more unattached to Will than Blake was. And Hannibal? Even though he has calmed down, Will still believed Hannibal was the reason behind everything. Blake didn't blame him. The elder doctor was starting to act weird around her, weirder than usual.

—--------

Will Graham was released from the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane on a Saturday. Blake met him at his cell and guided him to her car, stopping on the way to his house to get a haircut–something he asked for. When they arrived at Will's home, the FBI was waiting to put the anklet on him. They'd already set up sensors around the property, it was big enough for Will to roam. Just not too far.

As the FBI left, Blake let out a smile. "First time I've been here." She said softly, leaning down to pet all the dogs which were so graciously given back to Will from Alana. "I get to meet all these guys!" Blake exclaimed happily.

Will shed his jacket and smiled softly at Blake. "I think they've been wanting to meet you." He admitted softly, "I noticed they smelled the…. Uh, coat I got from you a lot." He scratched the back of his neck out of nervousness. Being back in the real world after spending months in a hospital jail cell was weird. 

Will wasn't sure what to do with the amount of space he now had, although limited. Or even the fact that there no longer was glass separating him and Blake. He longed for her touch and yet he had no idea how to initiate it. Or a kiss. God, he missed so much about simply being in the same room as Blake. The way she towered over him, tipped his head back as they kissed, or ran her hand through his hair. Will craved it like one would chocolate. Blake's presence was decadent, filled with rich flavor, and presented in a way that screamed elegance.

"Hm." Blake hummed, standing fully instead of being hunched over because the dogs seemed to have lost interest in her and retreated to their beds. "I never got to say it but…. I missed you too." She said softly, cupping Will's chin in between her index finger and her thumb.

Will let out a shaky breath, eyes lifting to meet Blake's. "Can you…. Show me how much you missed me?" He asked in a whisper, his urges slowly overcoming him. 

Blake cocked her head, scanning Will's face only to see no hesitation or feeling of obligation in his eyes. So Blake did. She carefully slid her hand behind Will's neck and guided him to her lips. Blake put her other hand on his waist, clearly taking the lead in this dance. While one of Will's hands grabbed onto Blake's shoulder for support. They were kissing for quite a while and they were leaning into each other, desperate to find comfort. Or maybe something more.

Once they pulled apart, they admired each. Their lips were both equally swollen, eyes dilated, and taking deep breaths. Will, though, had never looked better to Blake's eyes. His hair, while messed up by her own doing, was much neater and made his face seem more…. Hot. And Blake had a feeling Will knew what she thought. Knew what he was doing. Knew that Blake particularly loved his hair, running her hands through it, feeling its softness. 

Both of them were too eager, though, to let this rest continue. Their lips clashed together yet again in a more heated way. Blake even gently picked up Will and pressed him against his bed that lay in the corner of the room as she got in between his legs, arms on either side of his head. This wasn't necessarily sensual but it certainly was intimate. A show of just how much Blake cared. Enough to properly show Will love and affection.

Suddenly, they were disrupted by Will's anklet beeping. 

Both being surprised and irritated by the noise, they broke apart. Blake and Will looked at each other for a moment before they both broke out into a smile. The taller woman then sat back on Will's lap to check the anklet.

"I believe it sensed your heartbeat going up." Blake chuckled softly, looking down at Will.

Will's eyes dilated as he looked up at Blake, the position making him feel small. Or…. Smaller than he already was. Blake's height gave her a three inch difference between Will. It wasn't the biggest distinction but it made a world difference regarding the way Will saw Blake, similarly, it was somewhat monumental to the way Blake saw Will.

Blake did not necessarily see Will as someone who needed to be fixed like, say, Alana Bloom would with her "professional curiosity." Will just needed help, to be guided onto the right path then he would heal himself. There was no correct way to be fixed, if one could be fixed to begin with. Blake saw Will as a precious being, capable of great feats. It was up to him if those would be horrible or worthy of praise by the masses. Being in the presence of someone who could hold that much power was…. Interesting. Will didn't look the type to have it. 

Will Graham was the average height for a man, but his beauty was certainly not average or mediocre. Blake appreciated it like no other had before. He was quite susceptible to submission, even if he had a hate for people truly knowing him or knowing the deep inner workings of his mind. He might have even adored the fact that Blake was taller than him but he'd never admit to it, not unless he was alone with her. But it was easy to tell with how much Will loved to glance up at her, adjusting his glasses to mask it. This happened more than once when they worked at the Bureau.

"So…. No prolonged kissing or else that will happen." Will dropped his head onto the pillow below him, letting out a sigh as he looked into the ceiling. "Sad, I wished we could–" The man stopped himself suddenly, realizing what he was about to say.

Blake cocked her head with a smirk. She had a feeling she knew where Will's mind was. "Wished we could what, Will? Hm?" She teased softly, pursing her lips in thought. "Have sex? Fuck, even?" She asked. 

Hearing those words come from Blake's lips was sinful to Will. The way her mouth formed each word caught his attention. Hell, maybe he did have an obsession. Everything that had to do with Blake, he adored–possibly even craved. Will let out a small whimper as he nodded. The sound was absolutely heavenly to Blake's ears. 

"Though it would…. Be unwise." Will said in a whisper after slowly finding his voice. He couldn't remember the last time he whimpered or felt like emulating such a noise. 

Blake hummed out disapprovingly, "It would. Can't have others knowing." She joked softly, referencing the anklet tightly secured on Will's leg. It was monitored 24/7 so whoever has the dismay of watching its activity might have a special insight to their relationship. That is, if the pair ever decided to continue further than a few heated kisses. "That would take away the fun. Only we need to know." 

Will's Adam's apple visibly bobbed at Blake's words. She hummed, running her thumb down the side of his face to his subtly dimpled chin and caressed the patch of facial hair there. Another thing Will learned she liked, his stubble. Now, he hadn't exactly grown it on purpose seeing as he was recently in a cell but he had no intention of shaving it off either. 

"Do you find me attractive, Doctor Adler?" Will asked, a light smirk gracing his features. If he knew how to work it, he may use it to his advantage. But he had a sneaking suspicion he knew the answer to his own question. 

Blake narrowed her eyes slightly, knowing what he wanted. "Yes." She answered simply. 

Will set his hands on Blake's hips, rubbing slightly on the bone. "Tell me, what is it you find attractive about me?" His eyes flicked to the taller woman's legs momentarily before they traveled back up to her lips.

"Your lips. How eager sometimes they are to meet mine. Your eyes and how they can hold so much emotion or sometimes none at all. Your jaw with how perfect it is to hold and touch. Your hair, the color suits you well while the softness feels good to touch." Blake said softly, hands caressing each part of Will she described. "And you. Your attitude, how you wish not to reveal so much about yourself but you become your own downfall in that. It's endearing." She added, pressing a kiss to the underside of Will's jaw as she tipped his head upwards. The action caused him to take in a shaky breath, allowing Blake to do whatever she wished.

Blake then ran her hand down to Will's neck, slowly rubbing a circle onto the skin where his neck met his shoulder. "That cold that follows you around has been formed into ice that clings to you. Perhaps, I wanted to share my warmth and show you a world without the cold." She whispered into Will's lips as she captured them again.

Will let out yet another, light noise into Blake's lips as he cupped her jaw and leaned upwards towards her. He felt desperation for a need to be filled and yet he knew he couldn't have it. Not now. But Will Graham was a patient man…. Sometimes. "I need you, Blake….. please?" He asked softly as he pulled away from her lips.

"Not so fast, Will." Blake whispered back, adjusting herself so she was laying next to Will on the bed. It was hard to deny Will, especially when he sounded so…. Needy. "Unfortunately, it would be unwise. We'll have to wait." She then pressed a kiss to the man's cheek, a hand still on his jaw. 

Will's lips jutted into a light pout, averting his eyes from Blake. He didn't want to seem so frustrated by her answer but he was. Yet, at the same time, he knew he was being childish. Blake was clear that her denial only stemmed from the anklet, something Will could not do anything about until next year. Or perhaps, if some further information came out about the Chesapeake Ripper. For instance, if they found out who it really was. 

—-------

The following day was Will's first home therapy session. It was scheduled at his usual time, 5 o'clock in the evening. When Hannibal showed up at the door, the only things he had with him were a notebook and a pen. Both were there just in case Hannibal wished to take notes. "Good afternoon, Doctor Adler." Hannibal greeted at the door. "I see you've been monitoring Will well." He hummed, eyes trained on the man behind her who was sipping away at something in his mug with a content look in his eyes.

Blake's jaw tensed slightly, still in opposition that Hannibal was to be Will's therapist. "Yes, well, someone has to." She stepped away from the door, allowing for enough room to let Hannibal inside. 

"I'm sure he appreciates that it's you." Hannibal complimented politely as he ventured slightly further into the house. 

Blake rolled her eyes at the man. It wasn't like Will couldn't hear them, in fact, he seemed more present than ever. He hadn't experienced any black outs between yesterday and that afternoon. Blake was starting to suspect foul play when it came to his bouts of lost time. It was incredibly inconsistent. Sure, Blake knew it was at random times but it also seemed to be happening more frequently. That was, until Will was sent to the hospital. Besides the obvious fact that being in a hospital for the criminally insane would take a toll on anyone's mine, those black outs stopped. 

Blake pressed a kiss to Will's temple in which he leaned into, a light smile gracing his lips at the touch. "I'll leave you to it so you have some…. Alone time." She announced.

"That would be wise." Hannibal nodded, taking a seat next to Will. He didn't have a couch in the home, just a few pairs of plush loveseats in different parts of the room.

The taller of the two doctors shook her head. It wasn't like Blake had a doctorate in Psychology or anything. Perhaps she was just easily irritated by the man who she believed to frame her partner or…. Well, nothing. It was hard to let Hannibal into her second home, to let him get inside Will's head. Especially after everything Will has accused him of. There was no erasing that.

Blake hummed, pushing her hands through the pocket of her coat. "Let me know if anything happens. I have my phone on me at all times." She said which gave her a nod from Will. He was quiet that evening, simply enjoying her company until Hannibal arrived.

"Of course, Doctor Adler." Hannibal smiled, though it was an unsettling one that Blake did not trust. 

Blake pursed her lips, "Okay then." She let out a breath as she exited through the front door. 

A walk through the woods, while potentially therapeutic, could result in her murder so a trip back to the Bureau seemed in her best interest. Reviewing past evidence may reveal her target. May reveal Hannibal as what Will believes him to be. What Will knows. Seeing that no one at the Bureau besides maybe Jack is suspicious enough to review the evidence, Blake's road was a lonely one.

That was.... until Blake saw Beverly that day. She was in the middle of looking through some files when Beverly showed up in her office. "Hello." Blake hummed, cocking her head. "Why are you here?" She asked bluntly.

"Nice." Beverly chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I think…. I have a way we can get some evidence that points to Hannibal." She confessed, taking a seat across from Blake. 

Blake let out a light breath, leaning back into her chair as she narrowed her eyes at the woman in front of her. In some ways, she looked like an intimidating principal. "And where did this suddenly come from?" She inquired, cautious.

"I investigated the mural artist. He's missing organs. A kidney among other things." Beverly said, a disgusted look in her eyes. "Before Will…. Went to the hospital he figured out the Chesapeake Ripper was also eating his victims." She explained, tapping her fingers on the desk in front of her.

Blake guided her pen to her mouth, holding it between her teeth as she got lost in thought. "Do you have a plan to get said evidence?" She asked, taking the pen away from her lips.

"I do. But it's tricky and you won't like it." Beverly admitted, pursing her lips in distaste for what she was about to recommend. 

—-------

Finding Hannibal's house was easy, it screamed him. The architecture certainly was gothic and the house itself was tall with sweeping windows and small details Blake couldn't quite make out but they were there. As Blake made her way to the front door she cursed at herself for accepting this plan, especially the part where she had to wear a dress in this weather. It felt like hell. Blake adjusted her dress, thankful she had long enough socks to reach her knees. For the longest time, she didn't really dive deep into her closet but this was a special circumstance. It needed to go to plan or else she might become Hannibal's next meal. But still…. Who knew what she would be eating.

Blake let out a breath to relieve some tension in her body. She saw the warm air from within her reach the cool outside. She would have found it marvelous if she wasn't about to knock on a possible murderers door. Blake shook herself slightly before she pressed against the doorbell attached to Hannibal's house. Now, Blake had never had the chance to go to Hannibal's home for dinner before–that was Jack's thing. Maybe she could have asked Jack instead but Hannibal seemed to have this certain–and sudden…. Interest in her.

"Good evening, Blake." Hannibal answered the door a few seconds later. "I'm glad you accepted my invitation for dinner." He smiled. The one that gave you a false sense of security.

Hannibal wore his typical attire. A perfectly tailored three piece suit, this time in a deep blue. Blake's favorite color. The suit was paired with a simple white button-up and a deep red–blood–tie. If Blake didn't think he was a murderer, he might think he was attractive. Although, maybe she could objectify him anyway. Murderers, more so cannibals, did not deserve courtesy or respect. 

Time to turn up the charm, Blake. That was, if she could learn how to move. She froze, for only a moment but it was noticeable. "Sorry…. Yes, um, I must admit I've been waiting. Jack compliments your cooking constantly." Blake admitted, mustering up a light smile.

Hannibal hummed out, nodding. "No need to apologize, I understand." He said kindly. But it felt wrong to Blake. A lot about him started to feel wrong. Hannibal let the tall woman inside, gently pulling her coat from her shoulders to put it on the hooks next to his door. "Dinner is almost ready, I just have to plate it." He explained as he led Blake into the dining room.

Blake pursed her lips as Hannibal left for the kitchen. The dining room certainly was as Will described it, cobalt blue walls with antlers above a mantle and a long table fit to dine at least ten. She ran a hand through her hair as she looked out the glass door behind the head of the table. It was snowing outside, a chilling cold that not even she could truly melt. That, she could accept. But Will believing he was pure ice was something she could not. 

Soon, Blake heard Hannibal's footsteps get close so she sat at the table. It was then that she realized there was a glass near her place that was already there. Inside the glass was a dark liquid, causing Blake to glare at it. She picked it up carefully and brought the glass to her nose. 

"Knowing your aversion for straight alcohol, I decided to mix an Old Fashioned for you." Hannibal explained as he set the plates down, one in front of Blake while the other was placed across from her. "It's my own recipe so that's why it's darker than usual." He then sat down.

Blake hummed, not trying to think of what else could be inside it. She took a sip of it and had to admit that it was very good. "I usually don't…. Like dark liquor but this is good." She said genuinely as she looked down at her plate. It certainly looked interesting….

Hannibal smiled with pride in his eyes, as if he accomplished the most important thing in the world. "For dinner, since you have admitted to having a more…. Simple palette, I've prepared a popular French dish." A hint of amusement was in his voice. "Steak-Frites." 

"Oh? Allons-nous faire un voyage en France?" Blake asked teasingly as she grabbed her fork and knife, a voice screaming in the back of her head that this was a bad idea. The things we do for our job, huh?

Hannibal cocked his eyebrow at Blake before he smirked, "Si tu veux." He shrugged slightly, cutting into his dinner to take a bite. 

The man at the table watched as Blake took a bite of her own dinner. It was unsettling to say the least. It felt voyeuristic, the way Hannibal watched the fork enter and exit her lips. Or how he might have even admired the whites of her teeth. 

But as dinner continued, Blake's plan slowly went into motion. A flaw an eater like Blake had–for the simple fact that her two front teeth had a slight gap in between them–was that she happened to often get food stuck between them. Usually, it would bother her to no end and she would complain about it until she had the opportunity to floss but this wasn't the time for that. If she complained, Hannibal might have an inkling of an idea of what she was trying to do.

It absolutely pained Blake to find her meal good but at the same time, she was resisting the urge to go to the bathroom and empty her stomach.

As the night came to a close, Blake and Hannibal both went to the front door. "You can come over any time you'd like. I imagine it gets hard to see Will everyday." Hannibal hummed as Blake pulled her coat on her shoulders.

"It doesn't." Blake said her first honest thing that night. "But I may take you up on that offer for dinner again." She smiled softly as she exited the door for her car.

Once inside her car, Blake let her shoulders drop and covered her mouth. She clamped her eyes shut, not wanting to imagine what she really put in her mouth but she needed to go back to the Bureau to have Beverly analyze the meat in between her teeth. Blake let her head fall onto the steering wheel as she held it tight in her hands, trying to stabilize her breathing. It wouldn't be good if she crashed her car and possibly destroyed the only evidence they had against Hannibal.

Gathering herself, Blake started up her car. To the Bureau she went.

—------

With Blake's mouth open, Beverly used a sharp tool to scrape the tissue in between her teeth. "Got it." She said as she set it on a petri dish. "Now, we have to analyze it." Beverly gave the dish to Brian so he could do the analyzing.

Blake stood from the metallic table, adjusting her jaw. "How long should that take?" She asked.

"Not long! It's fairly easy to tell if something is human or not." Jimmy explained before he pursed his lips. "I still can't believe we're investigating Doctor Lecter. He seems so…. Normal."

Blake rolled her eyes, "Hannibal literally rhymes with cannibal, Jimmy." She shook her head, running a hand through her hair in frustration.

The room seemed to quiet at that observation until Jack spoke, "Well, it is a real European name." He countered.

"Do you know anyone else with the name Hannibal?" Blake asked, eyes seemingly unimpressed. No one combated that comment. "That's what I thought." She huffed.

Brain blinked in disbelief as he leaned away from the microscope before he looked into it again. 

"What is it, Zeller?" Jack asked, authority completely lacing his voice. He wanted his answer now, no second guesses. Or second looks. What was there was there. 

"It's…. Meat. Human meat." Brain explained. His expression was one of pure disgust, looking away from the microscope.

Hearing it was so much worse. So, so much worse. Blake covered her mouth with her hand again and practically ran to the bathroom, a chorus of voices yelling after her. 

Once gone, Beverly pursed her lips. "Can't say I blame her. She had to eat it." She huffed out a breath while Jack looked down at the floor.

Hannibal was a murderer. And it was right under Jack's nose as his best profiler was pointing in Hannibal's direction and he ignored it. Sure, he had his suspicions but he couldn't do much with that. Until Blake showed that he possibly could. In some ways, it was embarrassing. That even Jack was so dense that he couldn't see it.

Thank God for Blake Adler.

-----------

"Allons-nous faire un voyage en France?" = Are we taking a trip to France?

"Si tu veux." = If you want.

[pickledpascal]

Sweet Nothing

Chapter Five: favorite crime

Summary: New information about Will comes to light and Blake is unsure how to respond.

Warnings: false accusations, sexual jokes, possible manipulation

Word Count: 2k

Sweet Nothing Masterlist

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Finding out the news that Will might have killed Abigail almost shattered Blake’s heart. Just a few weeks ago, he was so worried for her that they created a plan to try and make her feel normal for once in her suddenly miserable life. Will Graham could never be Garrett Jacob Hobbs no matter how much he worried he would. Blake was suspicious during the entire investigation. They found fishing lures with human hair and other remains, Abigail’s ear in the sink, blood underneath Will’s nails, and nothing else. Abigail’s body was never found, nor were any other parts of her. 

To say the least, Blake felt as if this was wrong. There was no evidence he had anything to do with the murders before and who knew if that evidence was planted or not? It decided to not so conveniently show up when Will was going through an episode. Yes, it was hard to think Will could do anything to intentionally harm someone in such a way and perhaps it made it easy for Blake to deny he ever did anything wrong. But, take out the fact that Blake felt so caring for Will, she still felt there were loose threads. 

Very loose threads. Ones that she needed to pull on.

Blake didn’t blame the team at the Behavioral Unit for immediately accepting all evidence against Will. It truly was stacked against him. But seeing Beverly, a girl Blake admired and saw as a close friend, to accept it without hesitation–more so remorse–angered her. She knew she needed to calm down, though. She needed to first prove why she felt this way. Jack trusted her, just not enough to blindly accept her claims.

A few weeks into Will’s stay at the Baltimore Hospital for the Criminally Insane, Blake found the courage to finally visit him. She felt regret for not seeing him sooner. Even Alana and Hannibal–whom Will started to blame for everything–visited him on a more often basis than Blake. She felt as if she visited him, it would all hit her at once. This was real. Will may never be out in the real world ever again and that scared her. Scared her to the point others were becoming suspicious of their relationship….

The security guard went over rules with Blake as she started to step into the block of cells holding the prisoners. 

No stepping over the white line.

Don’t give them anything harder than a piece of paper.

Don’t accept anything from them.

Blake stepped through the glass door, boots thudding against the floor with each step she took. Will was held in the last cell so she was sure he could hear her coming. Or, at least, that someone was coming his way. As Will and his cell slowly came into view, Blake let out a deep breath and closed her eyes. 

It was real. And she wasn’t so sure there was anything she could do about it. 

When she opened her eyes again, she was standing in front of him. Blake’s eyes ran over his body. Tired, tired, tired, rang in her head. As well as: innocent, innocent, innocent. Will’s eyes were more sunken than usual and his hair seemed more unruly as well. He certainly was underfed and not taken care of correctly. Blake huffed at the observation. Will deserved a warm home with plush blankets and pillows and enough room for his dogs to be housed. Not this cold and dark cell where people may as well spy on him going to the bathroom.

“Are you going to stand there observing me all day?” Will asked, his expression an unimpressed one but Blake swore she saw a glint of fondness. “In all honesty, I have nothing else planned.” He mustered up a light, strained smile

Blake folded her hands in front of her, swaying slightly. “I’m…. sorry for not coming sooner. This all just seemed so,” She looked down at her hands, rubbing her boots against each other, “Wrong. Like it wasn’t real and I can’t–” She frowned, taking a deep breath as she felt her emotions overcome her. “I can’t imagine you being here.”

“In love with a criminal? A psychotic one at that.” Will gritted out, not necessarily bitter or angry. Just…. Exhausted. He was wrongfully accused of murdering multiple people with most believing that he did it. Not only that, but they had to throw him in with real psychopaths.

“Cut the shit!” Blake growled out, shaking her head as her lips curled into a snarl. Her sadness that was overwhelming her a few moments ago slowly turned into anger. “I think everyone secretly knows you’re not the killer, you were just an easy target they could throw in jail for the sake of saying ‘I caught the Chesapeake Ripper.’ He could still be out there and he could be the reason you’re sitting here instead of someone else.” She started to pace slightly, running a hand through her hair. Her eyes were wide and frantic, showing her emotions on her sleeve.

Will narrowed his eyes at Blake, wondering what thoughts were going through her head. Possibly ones of anger, hurt, and denial. Or that her partner was in jail. Or even what was stopping others from believing she had something to do with this? 

“Do you believe me? About…. Hannibal?” Will asked in a whisper, eyes softening as well. 

Blake let out a deep sigh, stopping herself from wasting her energy anymore from the pacing. “I believe you were framed. I’m still not sure about Hannibal. But I’m not ruling him out either. He was there too when you found Nicolas Boyle and Marissa Schurr arguing and also was close with Abigail.” She rubbed a hand on her forehead in frustration. “But all of that is circumstantial, to a court of law, that won’t mean anything.”

“Then you’ll need to look deeper. Find the nuance.” Will pleaded softly, understanding the frustration within her.

Blake pursed her lips, “I can’t just start a parallel investigation, Will. It would have to be approved by Jack and he thinks that you’re it right now.” She let out a huff of air, swallowing thickly. 

There seemed to be a division growing in the Behavioral Unit. In the Bureau all together, now. Will was a criminal who worked for the FBI. Most in the Bureau wanted to never speak of him again and believed he was in complete control of his actions. Others, like Alana, believed that Jack pushed Will to his breaking point and–instead of getting into the minds of killers–he became one. 

But then there was Blake. Who had a sneaking suspicion Will was set up. Made to be the final skeleton to be locked deep inside the Bureau’s closet.

A silence came between the two. It lasted for a little while as they just stared at each other, each wishing that maybe they went to the visiting room to be closer and not have bullet proof glass in between them.

“I miss you.” Will was the first to break the silence, voice only above a whisper and looking as if even he couldn’t believe what he was saying. “Your warmth. How it melted the cold from me. How your skin felt against mine and how it made me feel like…. Like I was set ablaze. You made me feel…. Important. But you also expected nothing from me. Wanted nothing from me. You just…. Wanted me. Wanted me to feel comfortable. And I had, for the first time in my life. I…. Thank you.” He finished, a relieved huff of air escaping his lips. Will wanted to say that for a while but it felt especially important as he might be officially labeled as insane if the trial went the way the Bureau wanted it to. 

As Will looked up, he could see tears starting to form in the corners of Blake’s eyes. She held her hand on her mouth, afraid a sad whimper may escape her. She swallowed thickly, removing her hand from her lips and simply said, “I love you.” A few tears started to roll down her cheeks. “I wish I could properly express it to you right now. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Will pursed his lips before they formed into a sad smile. 

—--------

Blake collected herself as she walked up the stairs to exit the hospital, running a hand through her hair while the other fiddled with her keys inside her coat pocket. Her tears dried a few moments ago but she could still feel them on her skin, even more so when she opened the door and the cool, biting wind of the outside met her. Blake let out a breath as she exited, one that she could see.

Walking further away from the hospital, away from Will, someone approached her. In particular, a much shorter woman than Blake who had red, tightly coiled hair and a heavy amount of freckles dotted all along her skin. She was quite beautiful. “Doctor Blake Adler, I wanted to ask you a few questions. I’m Freddie Lounds and I’m a reporter.” Right, this was the one Jack warned about. “I just wanted to ask if Will Graham ever showed any signs of his psychotic tendencies while you were together?” 

“Um, no. How do you know that?” Blake blinked in surprise. As far as she knew, no one at the Bureau ever found out about hers and Will’s more romantic relationship, not that they would care either way.

Freddie ignored her as she typed a few things on her phone, “Do you think he’s become obsessed with you?”

Blake shook her head, “Absolutely not.” She was beginning to become more and more frustrated with these questions. They obviously had an agenda and that was to tell the world Will Graham was a murder and was insane, possibly even that he was an obsessive and over-protective man.

“Has Will shown any signs of being insane?” Freddie asked again. She then whispered to herself, “Maybe that’s better wording.”

Blake huffed out in anger before she plastered a smile on her face. “Yes, actually. In fact….”

—-----

“‘One night I fucked him so well I think that’s when his psychotic break happened.’” Jack Crawford said aloud to an audience of Hannibal Lecter, Alana Bloom, and–the perpetrator–Blake Adler. “Want to explain this, Doctor Adler?” He grunted out. It was a serious matter yet Blake couldn’t help but crack a small smile.

It was also hilarious to see the looks on Alana and Hannibal’s faces. Alana was blushing, eyes wide and even looked a bit sheepish while–after the initial surprise–Hannibal remained mostly neutral except the slightly amused look on his face. 

Blake coughed as a crutch to let her face go serious. “I’d like to clarify that I lied, Ms. Lounds just happened to annoy me enough to the point I said that.” She admitted. “Me and Will never actually–” She stopped when Jack held up a hand towards her.

“I don’t want to hear anymore about what you and Will may have done in your free time.” Jack grunted, shaking his head.

Hannibal hummed, “I would be afraid if I were you, Doctor Adler.” He then went on to explain, “While you may have admitted to lying to us and this could be seen as a joke to many, it could also be seen as true. Possibly even held against you as you’ve said you’re the reason Will is in jail.” He pointed out.

“I also don’t think this will help Will’s case.” Alana added, pursing her lips. “The Bureau might choose to use this against him.”

Blake nodded at the two other Doctors in the room, understanding their perspective but also knowing she would have said it anyway. “I don’t think it will hurt him that much. Plus, his lawyers have already contacted me to be a witness.” She explained, being a little more careful with her words around Hannibal as Will instructed. “I can set the record straight if need be.”