Hannibal listens patiently as Will, who does seem more upset than usual, vents about his latest case. How it’d been a particularly hard day in the field due to the intensity of a dissociative episode; more intense than usual. Hannibal, of course, has noticed the amount of stress Will is under lately. He’s genuinely concerned about Will, with his lack of a support system. The way he pushes himself too hard.
“You’re going to burn out, Will.” He pushes himself away from his desk, leisurely striding to where his favorite person in the world stands-- or rather leans, with his back against the ladder to the mezzanine. Hannibal doesn’t stop until he’s placed himself firmly in his friend’s personal space.
Will doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, Will flirts with Hannibal. Often and aggressively. Hannibal always flirts back. The question is if flirtatiously testing boundaries is merely a pathology of Will’s, or if he’s truly interested.
When Will looks like he’s about to argue, Hannibal quiets him with a kiss on the mouth. Nothing heated or insistent, but affectionate and hopefully comforting. He tucks a rogue curl behind Will’s ear, and can’t help but smile fondly when he backs away just enough to see that beautiful face. Hannibal decides not to comment on what’s just passed between them, waiting for Will’s reaction first.
“Have you ever thought of taking a break from the field?”
@empcthis
