Wills trance breaks once again.
His body still hovers beside his fathers corpse, his glove-covered hands a familiar shade. It's Hannibal's voice which brings him back to reality, though unlike his dream from moments before, there's no sense of urgency.
Will stumbles out of the tent, eyes glued towards the concrete. He cautiously regards his surroundings, through the dim light perceiving the moon directly above them, eliminating the possibility of sunlight for another several hours. The moment he progresses forwards, his legs weaken from beneath him without warning, sending him tumbling inelegantly to the ground. Only when his knees hit the chilled stone, he realises the extent of his shakiness. He hates feeling like this. Weak. Within an instant, a feeling akin to distaste emerges, and thoughts of his childhood flood through his mind. When his father would make him feel small, feeble, useless- and even in his death, he continues to force these emotions into Will.
The sentiments cloud his brain like fog, overwhelming his already susceptible senses, yet he doesn't retaliate as Hannibal instinctively clutches around his torso and hoists him to his feet. He staggers unsteadily, but eventually stands without the secondary aid, albeit it takes him a while.
"How long have I been in there?" Will attempts to speak, though his voice is raspy and scarcely audible. He internally curses to himself.
"Half an hour or so. I was beginning to get worried." Hannibal replies, placing a soothing hand upon his shoulder. Then, he assists in guiding Will away, rather than leaving him alone.
***
The drive is accompanied by a tense silence, with Will's eyes fixed to the scenery as they travel. He is sure to avoid all visual contact, and he doesn't dare meet his friends occasional concerned stare with his own. Meanwhile, conflicting thoughts continue to circulate within his head, the gorey image of his dad, along with his intense daydream with Hannibal. A vague flush creeps up his neck and onto his cheeks, though he isn't entirely sure whether the latter or the former is the source.
Suddenly, Wills stomach growls loudly, and as if on queue, they pass a bright yellow sign, shaped in a large 'M.' His eyes light up.
"Hannibal," Will finally vocalises, his eyes glued to the fast food joint.
"No." Hannibal returns bluntly within a split second, as if he could read Wills mind.
"Hannibal.. Please?" He responds, turning to the driver to look up at him with big, puppy-like eyes. With all that Hannibal has done for him, he is entirely satisfied he'll give in.
As predicted, Hannibal inhales sharply, before signalling towards the McDonald's, earning a soft, gleeful grin from Will.
"...Only because nothing else will be open at this hour." Hannibal sighs in defeat, refusing to reveal that there is almost nothing he is capable of denying Will, especially when he looks at him like that.
They enter the establishment with Hannibal trailing behind Will, the smell of the grease making his face scrunch in disgust. As Will turns to him however, he relaxes his muscles and smiles, nodding Will towards the counter. As its Hannibal's first time in a McDonald's, Will orders them food and brings them towards a table, a tray clutched in his hands. He can tell Hannibal is uncomfortable, and also that he's trying his best to put on a content face. Will finds himself grateful, though utterly amused.
"You don't have to eat that." Will chuckles, then bites down on a chicken nugget. Hannibal sits opposite him with a burger raised to his mouth, and a hesitant, almost regretful look.
"No, no, I insist. I'm sure it's.. delicious." He follows Wills actions and takes a bite, and within a split second, disgust flashes across his mien. He continues to chew and swallow it, yet he places the burger into the box with disgrace.
"I apologise, Will. But that was atrocious." Hannibal states bluntly, using napkins to wipe away at his lips hastily. Will responds with a rather restrained laugh, attempting not to offend the other.
"Here, coffee." Will offers with a chuckle, sliding a cup towards him. Hannibal smiles back, finding a strong pleasure in the boys amusement.
"Try one of mine?" Will lifts a chicken nugget between his fingers, holding it up close towards Hannibal. As much as Hannibal wishes he could, he doesn't turn down the request, and instead, he leans over and bites down, allowing his teeth to graze lightly on the tip of Wills fingers, followed by the gentle brush when he closes his lips. Will automatically freezes, jolts emerging from his hand and pooling in his gut within milliseconds. Hannibal retracts himself with a smirk, though his triumph is short lasting, as he almost gags at the taste of the fried chicken piece.
Will's tension instantly dissolves, and he bursts out laughing, watching as Hannibal struggles to consume the food.
"Hannibal— It's not that bad-" Will giggles, taking in long breaths as an attempt to compose himself.
"Rude." Hannibal proclaims once he finishes his mouthful, using his coffee as an aid. Will frowns, yet a tinge of amusement is still etched on his features.
"Hey, I'm sorry, I really didn't expect you to hate it that much. " He apologises, noticing the sudden sharpness to Hannibal's tone. He continues to eat his own food, but exhales in relief when Hannibal releases a quiet chuckle.
A moment passes, before either speaks up.
"I'm glad you've returned to form, Will." Hannibal observes, and to a trained ear, one would notice the adoration coating his voice, Will, however, does not. Instead, he smiles coyly and nods, shifting his darkening gaze back to his food.
*
Hannibal's Bentley remains idle within Graham's driveway as Will recounts what he saw— what the killer saw.
Prior to this, Hannibal had reluctantly drove Will back to the Graham's house, and offered to stay with him a few more nights, though Will declined the proposition. He knew he had to return home eventually.
Hannibal stares in a hidden admiration, watching every slight transformation of facial expressions on Wills face as he relives the moments of the murder with a frightening accuracy; something which Hannibal is able to personally confirm. Yet he says nothing. Will avoids mentioning the last part of his trance, as even the thought alone brings a tint to his cheeks. A few weeks ago, the colour was foreign across his skin, but now its a common reoccurrence; especially in Hannibal's presence.
"I could... feel what the killer was experiencing. I mean, I can usually feel how people feel. Predict them, almost. But this was... Different." Will murmurs, trailing off, his cheeks now burning from Hannibal's intense stare.
"How did it feel to kill the man who tormented you all these years?"
"You say it like I did it myself."
"From what you endured, did it not feel like you participated?"
Will remains silent, and instead, unbuckles his seatbelt and begins to exit the car. He's uncomfortable, and is very much willing to express this. To his consternation, his urgent movements come to an unforeseen halt as Hannibal's fingers gently find their way to his forearm, an attempt to reach out. It's not a constricting grasp, in fact it's rather supportive.
Will turns back and sighs, denying Hannibal of eye contact as he finally verbalises in a hushed tone.
"I liked killing him. I felt.. powerful."
"Killing must feel good to god too. He does it all the time. And are we not created in his image?" Hannibal squeezes his grip reassuringly, noticing the blue-eyed boys sudden timidity. Will looks to say something, but prevents himself and slams his mouth shut, glancing over before turning away and breaking their linked touch.
"Night, Hannibal." By now the sun was beginning to rise, but even so, he didn't correct himself.
"Goodnight, dear Will. I'll see you at school." Hannibal returns, "And thank you for the McDonalds."
Will snorts, smiling brazenly. "Any time."
He shuts the car door and lingers in the driveway as Hannibal's vehicle eventually departs; hesitant to enter his home.
A/N
Sorry it took me so long to update! Next chapter will be out much sooner, I promise. This part is dumb and short but shh it was fun. Next one will be longer!
also, i'm sorry i baited you guys.
...but like .. not really.