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Title: A Distant Memory
By: angstytimelord
Pairing: Hannibal Lecter/Will Graham
Fandom: Hannibal
Rating: PG-13
Table: Personal Challenge, 1drabble
Prompt: 5, Memory
Disclaimer: This is entirely a product of my own imagination, and I make no profit from it. I do not own the lovely Hannibal Lecter or Will Graham, unfortunately, just borrowing them for a while. Please do not sue.

***

"Will, is something wrong?" Hannibal's voice was soft, concerned, pulling Will out of his thoughts. He couldn't believe that he had been thinking only a moment ago of this man being his enemy, of this relationship coming to an end in a bad way.

The look in Hannibal's eyes told him otherwise. This man did care about him. There was no way that Hannibal could look at him like that and not care.

He shook his head, groping for words. "I guess I'm just .... still feeling disoriented," he murmured, unsure of just what to say. There didn't seem to be any words that accurately described how he felt. "I don't really know what to say. I just feel so .... lost, I guess."

Hannibal's smile vanished; in a heartbeat, his expression turned sad.

"But you aren't lost, Will," he said, his voice very soft, but the words sounding strong and firm. "I've found you. And I'll do my best to take care of you. You should know that. If you doubt that I'll do my best for you, then you don't know me very well at all."

I've never really known you, Will wanted to protest, but he didn't. Those words would probably only lead to an argument -- or to Hannibal putting up more walls around himself. It was hard enough to break through the barriers that were already there.

"Once you're treated for the encephalitis, this lost feeling will be a distant memory," Hannibal told him, stroking his hair back from his face. "You'll feel much more stable then, much more grounded. I think you need that stability in your life."

Will nodded, knowing that Hannibal's words were true. He'd always needed stability in his life, and he'd never really had it. He had always reached out for it, but that stability was more elusive than he'd thought. He had never quite managed to have it within his grasp.

Maybe this time would be different. Maybe Hannibal was right.

If his illness was treated, then he would be more stable. He would be more clearheaded, and he'd be able to change a lot of things in his life. He would see his relationship with Hannibal in a clearer light, and he'd be sure of how he shold proceed with it.

Either he would keep pursuing this relationship, or he would let it, too, become a distant memory. He had no idea yet which of those paths he would choose to follow.

If he was lucky, soon the encephalitis would be a distant memory, and his relationship with Hannibal would be stronger than ever. After all, it was Hannibal who was helping him through this difficult time -- and it was Hannibal who he would reach out for when this was all over.

***