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Title: Candlelight Dinner
By: angstytimelord
Pairing: Will Graham/Sherlock Holmes
Fandom: Hannibal/Sherlock
Rating: PG-13
Table: 9, 50ficlets
Prompt: 15, Candlelight
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.

***

Sherlock set the table carefully, arranging the cartons of Chinese takeout beside the plates, then stood back and looked around with satisfaction.

Will was upstairs in his room, though Sherlock knew that he'd be down in a few minutes. They had agreed to order Chinese food tonight, though the candles and the flowers on the table had been Sherlock's idea, as a bit of a surprise for Will.

He wanted to make the other man feel at home, wanted him to know that he was wanted here, that he was appreciated. And that he was loved.

Sherlock felt that a romantic candlelight dinner would get that point across.

Besides, he wanted to show Will that he had romance in his soul, even though he might not be practiced at letting it out. He wanted Will to see that the man he'd chosen to be with could make romantic gestures, that he was comfortable with them.

In truth, he found it a little awkward, but he wasn't going to stop making those gestures, not if they would show Will just how much he was wanted.

Candlelight and gorgeous flowers should make Will feel loved, Sherlock told himself as he glanced towards the living room. He thought he heard Will coming down the stairs; even though he wasn't wearing shoes, Sherlock could still hear the other man's quiet tread.

What would Will think of the candlelight and flowers? Would it seem like too much, or would be appreciate it for the romantic gesture that it was?

Sherlock suddenly felt that he'd somehow gone too far, assumed too much. Maybe Will had changed his mind about being in a relationship with him; maybe the feelings that he had were one-sided and Will only wanted them to be friends and roommates, and nothing more.

No, he told himself firmly. That wasn't the case.

Will wasn't the kind of man to simply change his mind about something like that. If his feelings had changed for some reason, he would have talked to Sherlock about it.

Besides, he wasn't being rushed. This was merely a romantic gesture, a symbol of the strong feelings that Sherlock had for him, nothing more. He wasn't trying to make Will move forward more quickly. He was just trying to be romantic and loving, that was all.

"In the kitchen, Will," Sherlock called, knowing that Will could see the flicker of candlelight from the living room. He hoped the other man wasn't alarmed by that.

Then Will was standing in the doorway, his blue eyes wide as he looked at the table, the flowers, the food, the candles that cast a warm glow over the room. Sherlock smiled at him, holding out a hand as he stepped forward, his gaze on Will's face.

"I wanted to do something romantic," he said softly, holding Will's gaze with his own. "I wanted you to know that you're welcomed here, Will. That you're very much appreciated and wanted, and that you belong. I hope it's not too much."

Will's answering smile put him at ease; it was enough to tell him that he'd done the right thing. Will looked happy and relaxed, and his smile was genuine.

Sherlock loved seeing that smile, the smile that reached all the way to Will's blue eyes. It wasn't the forced smile that Will showed others when he was stressed, a smile that Sherlock had seen a few times already. It was a smile of warmth and happiness.

"You make me feel loved even without the candlelight and flowers," he said softly, taking Sherlock's hand. "But this is a really nice touch. Thank you."

"You're welcome," Sherlock answered, feeling absurdly pleased.

Really, he shouldn't feel so happy that such a small gesture had been so well-received. But every little thing that he did for Will was a step forward in their relationship, and if it was something that made Will happy, and made him feel more at home, then Sherlock was glad he'd done it.

Will sat down at the table, picking up one of the cartons of rice and spooning it onto his plate. "I've never had Chinese food by candlelight before."

"Then I'm glad to be able to give you a new experience," Sherlock said with a smile, taking a seat opposite Will and helping himself to some of the food. "I've actually never had a meal by candlelight. I don't think I've ever appreciated the romance of it."

But then, that was because he'd never had anyone to be romantic with, Sherlock told himself with an inward smile. And now, he most certainly did.

"The only time I've ever eaten by candlelight is when the power went out," Will confessed with a soft laugh. "And I didn't have a date, unless you count the dogs. I was alone in the house, and wishing that the power would come back on in a hurry."

Sherlock had to laugh at the mental picture that presented.

"I doubt that the power will ever go off here for more than a few minutes," he said, his voice very soft. "But any time you'd like some romantic candlelight, we can pretend that it did."

Will's gaze met his over the table, and the younger man smiled again, sending a thrill of desire through Sherlock's body. That smile promised so much for the future, so much that he couldn't wait to experience. That smile made him feel .... wanted.

He smiled back at Will, the candlelight flickering between them, the heady scent of the flowers filling the room, making everything seem exotic and enticing.

Sherlock didn't know just where they were going from here, but he couldn't wait to find out.

***