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Title: Goodnight Kiss
By: angstytimelord
Pairing: Hannibal Lecter/Will Graham
Fandom: Hannibal
Rating: PG-13
Table: 8, 50ficlets
Prompt: 44, Kiss
Author's Note: This is a 50-ficlet AU series for Will/Hannibal. In this universe, the two of them are deeply in love with each other, though neither knows quite how to bring that love out into the open.
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. soar

***

Will could feel his pulse racing as Hannibal pulled into the garage and stopped the car. The evening was over; it was time for them to say their goodbyes and for him to go home. The date had been wonderful, but all good things had to come to an end.

He didn't want this night to be over. He wanted Hannibal to invite him in for a drink, and for them to see where things might go from there.

But wasn't that taking things too fast? he asked himself. There was something to be said for jumping in head first and surrendering to their feelings, but there was also merit in taking things slowly, in waiting to see just where this relationship was heading.

He didn't know which side he ascribed to.

Will desperately wanted Hannibal to kiss him, but it wasn't like he could simply ask for a kiss. It wasn't something that he could demand, or take. It was Hannibal's right to decide whether to kiss him or not; after all, he was the one who had asked for the date.

Was that a terribly old-fashioned attitude? Will didn't think so; it was simply the way he felt. And he was fairly sure that Hannibal would agree.

He couldn't see himself taking the lead in any aspect of their relationship. He didn't think Hannibal would go for that, either; Hannibal wasn't the sort of man who would want the reins taken out of his hands. Will knew that Hannibal valued being in control.

And he was more than willing to relinquish that control to the man he was with. Somehow, it felt natural for Hannibal to be in control in this situation; Will didn't feel uncomfortable in the slightest, which was odd. He had thought he'd still be a bundle of nerves.

But during dinner, that nervousness had vanished.

They had laughed and talked easily, to Will's surprise. He had felt more relaxed with Hannibal tonight than he ever had in all of their private counseling sessions; he had felt that he could open up to this man, tell him anything. It had all felt so relaxed.

Only now, when the car was in the dark garage, and he knew that the evening was coming to an end, did the butterflies start turning cartwheels again.

He was sure that he could feel them in his stomach, threatening to take wing. There wss no reason to be so nervous, Will told himself sternly. He'd been out with men before. Very few, to be sure, but he did at least have a little experience in the kissing area.

Hannibal wouldn't be the first man he had ever kissed -- but he would be the first man who Will had sincerely wanted to kiss. And he'd be the first man that Will had ever wanted to do more with than mere kissing and fumbling.

Maybe tonight would be the start of something more.

Hannibal opened the door, getting out of the car and crossing to Will's side to open the door for him. Will had to fumble with the seat belt for a moment, then he was out of the car, moving out of the way and letting Hannibal close the door.

He had never felt so awkward in his life. What was he supposed to say? Should he simply thank Hannibal for a wonderful time, and let that be it? Or should he wait for the other man to make the first move, and let Hannibal lead the way again?

Hannibal smiled and reached for his hand, twining their fingers together. "I had a wonderful time tonight, Will. Thank you for agreeing to go out with me."

"I had a great time, too." Will was unsure of exactly what to expect; was Hannibal going to ask him out again? Would he invite him in, or simply walk him to his car? Would they have a goodnight kiss, or was it out of the question on a first date?

He let Hannibal lead him up the steps to the front door, waiting, holding his breath.

"I would invite you in, but .... I think we both have an early day tomorrow," Hannibal murmured. "I regret that our evening has to end here, Will. I would like to invite you in, but I don't want to take things too quickly. I'd like to leave a bit of an air of mystery."

"You're good at that," Will said before he could stop himself. "But I was hoping for at least a kiss. That's one of the best parts of a date, isn't it?"

Indeed it is," Hannibal whispered, his arms sliding around Will's waist to pull him close. Will only had a few seconds to prepare himself before Hannibal's lips were on his, the kiss just as soft and romantic as Will had imagined it would be.

The goodnight kiss only lasted for a moment, but it was long enough for Will to know that he wanted to go out with this man again, if this was where the evening would eventually lead to. The kiss was all that he had wanted, with a promise of much more to come.

Their goodnight kiss was the perfect end to a perfect evening.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Will," Hannibal murmured against his mouth before letting him go to turn and open the door. "Get a good night's sleep."

Will nodded, feeling dazed. "I'll try. Good night," he added as Hannibal smiled and closed the door, leaving him to walk to his car, raising a hand to touch his lips as he did so. Tomorrow. He would see Hannibal again tomorrow. The new day couldn't arrive soon enough.

***