It’s Storming And The Lights Are Flickering (and Hannibal Detests/is Afraid Of The Dark During Bad

I'm exploring this in my cliff house fic right now, but thoughts on potential abuse that took place during Hannibal's stay at the BSHCI?

They took his toilet and books. I get the feeling there was sleep and food deprivation. I think lot of the guards didn't treat him well when they had to deal with him. Not like Alana would do anything about that. Especially after they figure out he won't attack them or try to escape and they basically have a willing punching bag. (Especially after Will gets married, Hannibal loses what little fight he has)

What if as they start recovering from the fall and getting closer, Will starts to see little tells and triggers and starts to piece together that Hannibal was not in fact treated to a luxury stay under Alana's care as he thought. Cue Hannibal constantly denying that he has trauma and fighting the tlc Will is trying to give and Will dealing with the guilt in the aftermath for being the cause of it all. Bonus points if Will goes into a rage and goes after (or at least wants to) the people who hurt him and Hannibal gets all flustered about being protected and cared for

OMG I AGREE!! also very excited for your fic. i'll touch on Hannibal's abuse in the BSHCI because you know whump is my bread and butter 😏

firstly, i think Hannibal did indeed face abuse (emotional and physical) like gaurds being rough and not caring if he got thrashed around or injured on their end. like omg imagine if when Hannibal was in that dolly thing with the wheels (wearing his straitjacket), one of the gaurds who absolutely hated him sped up the dolly thing and roughly pushed it over so Hannibal landed face first onto the floor with no way to brace himself and got a bloody nose and black eye. i might write a fic about that actually: Will finding Hannibal sedated and crumpled on the floor with the dolly thing crushing him. 😭

sorry i got sidetracked, but anywho!! i do think Hannibal faced starvation and missed meals, too. maybe not consistently. but at least a few times during those three years. i bet it messed with his mind a lot more than he would willingly admit to himself and bring back memories of being chained up with a growling stomach. on those nights, Hannibal probably struggled with night terrors.

i know this next part is so niche and not everyone needs to agree with it, but my headcanon is after Hannibal's toilet was removed there was at least one instance where laxatives were snuck into Hannibal's food or water, or Hannibal was restrained and forcefully given an enema by a few of the gaurds so they could watch Hannibal suffer without access to a toilet.

another headcanon i have is that sometimes Hannibal regressed in the BSHCI when the isolation and touch starvation became too unbearable. little Hannibal would curl up under the blanket and fold it over his head to be out of view when sucking his thumb for comfort and rocking himself to sleep. ohmygod what if i write a fic about that too?! 😭 Will going to visit Hannibal and Alana tells him Hannibal is regressed 💔 crying and i haven't even written it yet lmfao.

Hannibal regressed at least a few times. especially on his birthday or mischa's birthday because those are difficult days to be alone. Hannibal tried not to regress on Will's birthday because little Hannibal wouldn't think Will wanted to see him ever again.

going back to the toilet removal and laxative/enema torture: Hannibal probably regressed in those moments because such a loss of control was nearly foreign and unbearable.

Hannibal was probably triggered with memories of being trapped in the cabin with the men who killed his family (before he became mute) and asking to use the bathroom yet being forced to hold it for as long as possible. even when it became agonizing, especially when he was sick and couldn't hold in diarrhea. the men would punish young Hannibal with beatings and not give him anything to clean up the mess or throw him out in the snow for a period of time as punishment or lessen the amount of food he would be given, if any at all.

in the BSHCI, Hannibal would probably try to mask any signs of regression, though, so mutism was the best coping mechanism in those circumstances.

also omg we have the same brain because i've been thinking about Hannibal being sleep deprived in the BSHCI since winter. my headcanon is that it would occur on rare occasions, but be enough to send Hannibal into a regressed state. for two days (because that's as long as the guards would have during the weekend when Alana would not be there) lights would not be turned off when scheduled to be and music would blare loud in the speakers constantly. little Hannibal would be overwhelmed and shove both hands over his ears to soften the sound as much as possible, but it wouldn't offer much relief at all. i might write a fic about this too omg because imagine Will seeing a sleep deprived version of little Hannibal sobbing for silence and darkness and sleep in the BSHCI. 😭

now, on the topic of Will noticing signs of Hannibal's abuse/mistreatment

the first time Hannibal felt the urge to use the bathroom in Will's presence would probably bring up feelings of unease and resurfacing emotions and memories. especially if Hannibal was injured and incapable of getting around without assistance from Will. Hannibal would most likely involuntarily regress in that moment because there was (in little Hannibal's mind) a very high likelihood of being denied the option to seek out a bathroom and a very high likelihood of being tortured in such a way that made losing control of one's bladder or bowels inevitable and a very high likelihood of being punished for it. it would shock Will, seeing Hannibal fall into a state of regression and clearly be distressed about being allowed to use the bathroom.

my headcanon is that Will instantly adores little Hannibal and feels an overwhelming sense of protectiveness and fondness for this newfound version of Hannibal.

another moment where Hannibal may regress post-fall is during the first time Hannibal is hungry and it is not at all close to dinner time yet. Hannibal knows asking to have a snack is not some huge feat or something to be wary of while in Will's presence. but regressing temporarily eases Hannibal's worries about possibly being denied food (because Hannibal is hopeful Will would not deny little Hannibal the comfort of food). little Hannibal is cautious in asking Will for a snack and Will can sense it's a monumental moment. Will rushes to bring little Hannibal a snack and settles into bed and hand-feeds little Hannibal every bite to make it clear there is no reason for Hannibal to ever again be wary about asking for food. regressed or non regressed.

these are all my thoughts i have right now, but i may come back to this eventually and add some more. thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and sending in this ask. i would absolutely love love love talking more about vulnerable Hannibal with y'all. please feel free to send in more asks or share your thoughts with me about vulnerable Hannibal! <3

wailing my booty off omg 🥹🩵 thank you for such kind words. post-fall domesticity is my fave thing to write. also i second everything you said about "silk and lace" and "compimento" because those are my fave vulnerable Hannibal fics !! i also recommend anything else written by cerviidae because every fic of theirs is absolutely beautiful!! <3

Hannigram Short Fanfic Review List!

Hey, friends! It's official: I made it through the list of short fics I've been recommended!

As a reminder, the criteria that was voted on for short fanfictions was capped at anything less than 10k words. All works in this review can be found on AO3 and will be linked via the fic title!

Disclaimer: As always, mind the tags and use your best judgement as to whether you want to read the fic. Have fun!

Reviews under the cut. :)

Something Else

Author: HotMolasses ( @hotmolasses @snazzymolasses )

Word count: 2,137

Summary: “Why didn’t you pull away, Will?” he said, genuine curiosity in his voice. “When I was mere inches from you, with a deadly blade in my hand, you leaned toward me. Did you hope I would kill you?”

Will shut his eyes from pain as he was suddenly jerked back to that moment. He tilted his face away from Hannibal and tried to shove the memory away, the betrayal he had felt, even though he had rightly deserved it, after everything he had done.

He didn’t think about Abigail. Hannibal wasn’t talking about that part anyway.

He forced his eyes open but found himself unable to meet Hannibal’s gaze. He stared at the floor and steeled himself. He had promised honesty, and for once, Hannibal had earned it.

“Because I wasn’t thinking you were going to gut me.” he said. “When you put your hand on my face, stroked my cheek I thought…” the room blurred around the edges because Will had kept his eyes fixed to a single spot on the floor for so long. Now he forced them to look into Hannibal’s face. “I thought you were going to do something else.”

h e l p. This fic is short, but it manages to have just the right blend of angst and sweetness that really makes me crave more. I like everything I've read from HotMolasses, but this might have to be my favorite.

First of Many

Author: solarteacup

Word count: 2,204

Summary: a take on Will and Hannibal's first kiss for valentine's day

Short and sweet, very cute. Exchanging shy smiles always gets to me, and I love the first kiss trope!

Breathe

Author: solarteacup

Word count: 2,501

Summary: Will gives Hannibal a very enthusiastic blowjob

Wait. Wait. Asthmatic Hannibal?! I didn't know I needed this until reading this fic. As someone who has suffered from asthma attacks my entire life, I feel seen, but I was also completely thrown for a loop! It was well written, too, and it wasn't the entire focus, just a detail thrown in for the plot (effects of damage from the fall??) but I ended up really loving it! Bonus points for dominant Will. 🤭

Crave, then Succumb

Author: coffeeinrain ( @coffee-in-rain )

Word count: 2,521

Summary: Hannibal receives a second hug post-fall, while high as a kite on morphine, and ends up unraveling in Will's arms.

This is sweet and fluffy from the get-go, with some good old fashioned hurt-comfort thrown in. I love the domesticity in this fic, Will being gentle with Hannibal after the fall is one of my weaknesses. I adore the vulnerable Hannibal tag, it's another one of my weaknesses; I love to see that big man fall apart, only to be lovingly pieced back together. We love gentle Will Graham and post-fall domesticity!

Silk and Lace

Author: jonnimir

Word count: 3,105

Summary: Kinktober Day 9: Lingerie.

Bedelia leaves Hannibal and Will a gift at the house on the cliff.

Okay, this was sweeter than I expected it to be! I really liked this fic, it has some warm fuzzy feelings, a lot of gentleness, and submissive Hannibal. I love the first-time-since-prison trope tbh, and this fic is actually quite cute despite being smut. It's not graphic, but it still does a good job at describing the scenes. I would read this again.

Fever

Author: solarteacup

Word count: 3,181

Summary: Will is sick and begs Hannibal to take care of him

Honestly, this one wasn't my favorite, but I promised to review every fic recommended to me. In the spirit of honesty, I don't particularly enjoy fics with needy bottom Will, but that's just me. Anyway, not my cup of tea, but it might be yours. Let me know what y'all think if you read it. :)

You May Be a Sinner But Your Innocence is Mine

Author: multifandom_fanfic_writer

Word count: 3,198

Summary: “Hello,” Will said. He wanted to say something else, something to convey his relief at Hannibal being alive, being okay, but he didn’t know what to say.

“Hello,” Hannibal responded. His eyes were bright. “You are very beautiful.”

I've read this one before, so this is a reread for me! I love amnesia fics, there's something about them that I just enjoy. It's another short and sweet one, nothing too plot driven, just a cute little "what if?" fic that ends on a good note.

Revved Up

Author: solarteacup

Word count: 4,814

Summary:Hannibal watches Will fix the car and gets turned on.

I liked this one! There's very few fics by solarteacup I don't enjoy, so it comes as no surprise to me that I did enjoy this one. I love a needy Hannibal and a dominant Will making him beg. One of my favorite tropes is strong characters not knowing how to ask for what they want because they've never had to.

Letter

Author: HotMolasses

Word count: 4,307

Summary: Hannibal,

"I long to be near you. To touch you, to taste you. Desperate, even. I burn with fire whenever you walk into the room...

...At no point in our relationship have you asked anything you wanted from me. You have only taken. And now you had better take the rest. Ask me for nothing. Do not attempt to have a conversation with me about this. I’ll deny even having written this letter. I don’t want to talk about it. I want you to take. Take what you want from me, Hannibal Lecter, or you will never get it." -Will.

This one was partly an attempt for me to branch out and explore the dubcon/cnc tag(s), and I did enjoy this fic. I think it captures Will's mentality around Hannibal taking from him and being put off when Hannibal actually asks instead of just taking more. That being said, I still prefer the sweet fics where both of them are treading lightly post fall, but this one was good for me! I like it.

To Be Seen

Author: solarteacup

Word count: 5,855

Summary: As he closed his eyes, he heard a sharp click of Hannibal’s tongue and a tight grip on his jaw. Hannibal brought Will’s face forward. “Eyes on me.” Hannibal rubbed a little faster and Will’s breath hitched low in his chest. “When you look away, you deny others the privilege of seeing all of you.”

Will goes to Hannibal in distress and gets relief he didn't expect.

While this does have a very dominant Hannibal and hot office sex, it was surprisingly tender! There's not much else I can say other than that I really enjoyed this one.

Compimento

Author: cervviidae ( @cervviidae )

Word count: 9,580

Summary: His day orbits around Will. Every thought, every action is steeped in him. Hannibal waits for him to return from work, the hours stretching long and thin in his absence. He folds Will’s flannels. He organizes Will’s books, running his fingers over their spines as though touching them might bring him closer to Will. He cleans and cooks, each moment filled with the quiet refrain of Will, Will, Will.

- or -

Hannibal learns what it's like to be Will's husband.

I absolutely love the exploration of Hannibal's feelings in this fic. His thoughts surrounding Will and their love are so poetic, yet heartachingly simple. This fic has one of my favorite tropes, which of course is "loving you is the easiest thing I've ever done." I don't see this trope enough in relation to the way Hannibal feels about Will. The simple softness of their relationship and Hannibal being truly content with domesticity instead of the violence and bloodshed he had expected to come of their union. Absolutely wonderful. And the smut? Perfection, exquisite. The ferality of their lovemaking still manages to be tender. I could read this a million times over. This might be my all time favorite as of writing this review.

Will being reminded time and time again Hannibal is only human post-fall. This turned into word vomit because I just typed to my little heart's content so the ending is a bit rushed lol. It ain't a formal fic. Just a little post-fall blurb.

They're standing underneath the shower head, warm water trickling down. Will is holding Hannibal by the waist--keeping his weak body steady and upright--because Hannibal is unbalanced due to a high dosage of pain medication. It's Hannibal's first shower after the stitches from his healing gunshot wound were removed. There's only a shower in this motel room--not a bathtub. Will knows Hannibal's been dying to bathe properly for weeks instead of the unsatisfying sponge baths.

Hannibal is washing shampoo through each gray strand, removing built up grease from his scalp when every finger steadily begins to slow and comes to a complete halt. Will is worried something's wrong--maybe Hannibal strained something while raising both hands over his head. Hannibal is barely breathing. Will leans in and peers over Hannibal's shoulder. Heat is creeping into Hannibal's cheeks. Hannibal's cock is half-hard and stiffening by the second.

Will is shocked--but not at all surprised. He doesn't recall having ever given Hannibal a moment of privacy besides using the toilet. He knows Hannibal is touch starved and can't be at fault for such an involuntary reaction. Fingers stroke gentle circles against Hannibal's waist. "Rinse your hair. It's gonna get in your eyes and burn like hell." He knows Hannibal's brain damaged mind needs gentle reminders on occasion--even for basic steps such as washing one's hair. He knows Hannibal is relearning mundane tasks. He knows. He is patient through it all even when it comes as a shock that Hannibal still needs reminders for everyday things--that Hannibal could forget how to perform a single task--that Hannibal depends on Will.

Hannibal's nearly finished rinsing his hair and his fingers begin to tremble and his feet slide along the shower floor as if it's becoming uncomfortable to remain still.

Will knows what needs to happen and wonders if Hannibal is waiting for permission--permission Hannibal doesn't need yet still seems to search for, even if stuck in a perpetual state of mutism. He knows Hannibal is shy in searching for guidance--that fact never ceases to shock Will. "Take care of yourself." He waits for a long stretch of time for something to happen--for Hannibal's hands to move. But they only remain curled in Hannibal's hair, shaking as much as the rest of Hannibal's body. Then, it dawns on Will.

Embarrassment is not the reason for Hannibal's refusal. He simply doesn't remember what to do or understand what Will means. It's a fine motor skill issue and an amnesia issue. Hannibal's cheek burns Will's lips where a gentle kiss is placed upon wet and flushing skin.

"It's okay if you don't remember how, darlin', I know you've been doing your best." Will's hands move from Hannibal's waist toward Hannibal's stomach. He rubs over the soft, subtle swell of Hannibal's stomach. Giving Hannibal time to adapt to skin to skin contact after enduring three long years without a single affectionate touch. He knows it feels foreign, especially because of Hannibal's brain damage and amnesia. Hannibal awoke one month ago--confused--terrified even if attempting not to show it--because Hannibal's last unfractured memories were of being in France. Dim. Faded. Not Fresh. He keeps each touch slow and gentle, allowing Hannibal's touch starved body unrushed moments to adjust.

Hannibal's untouched cock is stiff and leaking and twitching in response to every caress of Will's hands along Hannibal's stomach. Hannibal's breathing is shallow. Hannibal's eyes are clenched shut. Will understands now. Hannibal must've been a virgin at this stage in life--a killer--but never granted anyone the chance to touch. Hannibal is aching--throbbing--barely able to contain a rising whine as trembling fingers betray him, clinging to one of Will's forearms. He trusts Will and only Will. Even though it's taken a long time for Hannibal's distrust to melt away.

Will understands in all reality Hannibal is a decade older. But Hannibal's current state of mind is only 19 years old. Will wouldn't ever dare to speak such a statement under another circumstance. But this version of Hannibal is sweet in rare moments when not attempting to ward off the world beneath a stone cold exterior--one not yet perfected--one with easily discovered fractures Will is unable to ignore after knowing Hannibal for so long. He whispers the single phrase that comes to mind. Right next to Hannibal's ear. "Do you need my help, sweet boy?"

Will can tell Hannibal is trying to fight it: the shock, the trembling gasp twisting an undignified whimper threatening claw its way forth, the small and pitiful abortive thrust--pitching forward into empty air. It comes to Will easily as if a second nature buried deep and forgotten. He soothes Hannibal's breathless whimper with a kiss against a soaking wet temple. "Easy, baby, I'll take care of you," Will whispers and curls a calloused palm around Hannibal's cock. A frail and wobbling moan erupts from Hannibal's mouth--shattered and hoarse and needy. Hannibal's other hand claws at the wall for balance. Will's grasp is gentle (unyielding yet nearly lax) as Hannibal's overwhelmed body struggles to find its rhythm in wake of such a foreign sensation--of such jaw-dropping pleasure. He knows it must feel like Hannibal's first time ever approaching orgasm due to brain damage and amnesia. Hannibal's feet are damn near slipping and Will loops an arm around Hannibal's waist. "You don't have to rush. Find your pace, sweet boy."

Echoing off the tiled walls are Hannibal's whimpers and moans--thin and ruined from rusted vocal cords. Hannibal's head is tipped back and leaning against Will's shoulder. He sobs a wordless plea once Will begins taking over with a sure and steady fist--spurring long-awaited friction around Hannibal's neglected cock.

Will can barely keep Hannibal upright because of how erratic Hannibal's shifting is becoming: sharp, unpracticed thrusts desperate to meet each stroke as if this sensation is entirely new and deeply craved--and pressing back against Will's clothed cock--Will wore boxers for Hannibal's comfort. He can't resist thrusting in response, burning with a mirrored need. He knows Hannibal is close: with nails digging into skin, with nails clawing at the walls, with thighs trembling, with knees threatening to buckle, with a rising stream of needy, breathless cries cresting into the air, with each swift twist of a wrist, with each murmur of praise breathed against Hannibal's ear. Hannibal's voice cracks on each unraveling wail--strained and wet with tears of overwhelm. He knows Hannibal's cheeks are soaking in fresh tears along with water from the shower head. Hannibal's chest is heaving bright with a flush--sinking in and filling with each ragged breath. He swirls a thumb around Hannibal's nipple--and again and again--when Hannibal's pulsing cock twitches in response--when Hannibal's sobs cease to be audible in wake of a toe-curling climax.

Will guides Hannibal through those dizzying, mind numbing moments. He presses endless kisses to Hannibal's jaw and cheek and temple. He climaxes soon after, a deep moan spilling forth. He cradles Hannibal, who's trembling and gasping through the aftershocks. He guides Hannibal out of the shower and into a clean set of pajamas. He showers quickly and steps out of the bathroom.

Hannibal is staring up at Will, eyes glassy and cheeks still warmed with a blush. He tentatively reaches out. He wants to be held. Will knows.

I can't stop thinking about how post-fall Will is definitely one of those "HEY. THAT'S MY WIFE" kind of husbands in Cuba or wherever they run away to. Jealous Will has my heart

i just rediscovered this in my drafts and wow i am eternally sobbing over this. i'll be a Hannibal apologist until the end of time because his devastation in Mizumono is so heartbreaking. especially considering how lonely Hannibal must've been before meeting Will. spending his entire adulthood hiding and feeling as if he could never form a genuine friendship with anyone. except for Will.

"all he knows is that will lied to him about freddie, refused to run away with him and insisted on confronting jack, and is now calling hannibal to taunt him and see what he does. all of will's actions have been for his own amusement."

the cry i crowed after reading that. all i can think about is Hannibal feeling both betrayed and ostracized. 💔 because in that moment Hannibal believed Will only had ulterior motives and only forged a deeper friendship with him as part of a ruse. it's like in the movies where the main character gains a new best friend. only for that same "friend" to privately detest them and gossip about them behind their back. that wasn't at all what Will was doing because his friendship with Hannibal was genuine. but that was probably how Hannibal felt upon coming to this revelation. believing Will had only ever been on Jack's side post-episode 2x08. i love reading your analyses and disections of the show so, so much

y'know, sometimes i can't get over how impulsively hannibal acted in mizumono like, baby girl, he called you to warn you the FBI knew!!! maybe wait two seconds before whipping out the knife and gutting the love of your life because maybe, just maybe, there's an explanation that isn't "will betrayed me, i must forgive him the way God forgives."

and then i remember.

hannibal didn't give a fuck about garret jacob hobbs when he called and said, "they know." he was just curious about what would happen. it was for his own amusement.

so of course when will calls and says the same exact words, hannibal doesn't see it as the genuine gesture will meant it to be. how could he? all he knows is that will lied to him about freddie, refused to run away with him and insisted on confronting jack, and is now calling hannibal to taunt him and see what he does. all of will's actions have been for his own amusement.

and oh boy, does hannibal put on a show. "you want to see what i'm capable of? fucking watch me."

sobbing because that's truly how it went down in Hannibal's mind. babygirl was so so blindsided and drunk on love for the first time ever 💔 @hannibalbabygirlifier this post made me think of you. let's sob together 🤧

Sorry for pretending I was killing for you, I'm turning you into the FBI btw.

THIS IS SO PRECIOUS OMG ♥️♥️♥️

🍂 we're entering housewife hannibal autumn 🍂

vulnerable Hannibal fic idea that's been cooking in my brain:

Hannibal and Will's post-fall relationship does not progress or develop in the manner Hannibal expected. He expected them to become closer, but Will is growing more distant each day. Hannibal has brain damage from a head injury, and it results in his emotional threshold being weaker, more fragile in a way he cannot control and struggles to explain. He misses Will, even from across the room. He gets anxious each time Will leaves the house. He's hidden one of Will's shirts underneath his pillow so he can fall asleep with Will's scent, even if Will is down the hall or out of the house for the night.

Will gets a job because it's a way to blend in. He knows Hannibal is behaving differently. He thinks what Hannibal needs is space and time to adjust. He starts a relationship with a woman he meets at a bar because it'll help them blend in even more. People won't ask questions or think it odd if Hannibal is rumored to be Will's relative (a distant uncle). He doesn't believe he could engage in an intimate (or even physical) relationship with Hannibal. Not yet.

They still have many past issues to discuss and resolve. But it's difficult to do so when Hannibal is mute. Trust between them is fragile and Will's new girlfriend puts a strain on their relationship. Will tells Hannibal there's no reason to be jealous. He tells Hannibal: "I'm not doing this to hurt you. I can't be what you need right now. I'm not there yet, and I don't know if I ever will be." He starts spending more and more time out of the house because the silence is suffocating. He never brings his girlfriend around. But she invites Will and Hannibal over to her house for Christmas day to exchange presents.

Will agrees for appearance's sake and asks Hannibal to make a list of things he would want for Christmas. He leaves a piece of paper (with written instructions to make a christmas list) and a pen on the counter for Hannibal before heading out to work. He comes back home hours later and opens the lid of the trashcan to toss something. There's a crumpled piece of paper balled up in the corner, buried in the pile, but only slightly visible if one were to look for it. He unfolds it and smooths out the creases to read the words written on the page.

It's Hannibal's christmas list and there are only three sentences written down: one hug. for at least thirty seconds, if you are willing. the lights can be off, if you wish.

Will's heart crumbles. He wonders why it was thrown in the trash until he sees a second christmas list on the counter in pristine condition. There are only two words written on that one: your company.

Post-Fall Hannibal and Will are at a gathering (to blend in), and Hannibal's stomach is still sensitive. They've just finished dinner and Hannibal's stomach is gurgling and bloated. They're standing around, sipping on wine glasses. Hannibal sets a half-empty glass on the nearest table. He's desperate to find a bathroom yet doesn't want to cause a scene, mostly because it may upset Will. He excuses himself and scans the room in hopes of finding a bathroom; all the while barely able to breathe past the sharp pain burrowing beneath each rib. He knows something is bound to come out one way or another. Each step becomes less stable. His pulse is thrumming loud enough to drown out the rest of the world and Will's footsteps. He gasps when a set of fingers curl around one wrist.

"Where are you going?" Will asks. He notices rising panic wash over Hannibal's features--a foreign sight.

Hannibal's stomach clenches, wrenching free a whimper. "Bathroom, please." He won't be able to control it much longer. He knows and doesn't want to cause a scene, much less shit himself in front of Will. He blinks past a sting of fresh tears, accent thickening. "Will, I-I need a bathroom."

Then, Will softens in understanding and leads Hannibal away from the crowd (first, asking a waiter where the nearest bathroom is; unfortunately, upstairs). Hannibal is sweating now, palm sliding against Will's own and finger's trembling in their squeeze. He's gentle when the need arises; when Hannibal's footsteps begin to slow and whimpers become a constant background noise; when Hannibal needs to brace himself against the nearest concrete wall, and wrap an arm around a swollen and aching belly; when Hannibal's knees begin to shake.

"Will," Hannibal rasps, voice curling around an emerging sob. "I won't make it. Too far."

so real. so real. ilysm for sharing this revelation. as always i'm giving you a long standing ovation like the celebs do at the cannes festival ♡

i truly believe [i came up with this thought 30 seconds ago] that all of Hannibal's shenanigans and bullshit can be classified under "Bitchy Bottom Behavior."

i will not be explaining further, thank you.