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Title: Priceless
By: angstytimelord
Pairing: Hannibal Lecter/Will Graham
Fandom: Hannibal
Rating: PG-13
Table: 8, 50ficlets
Prompt: 9, Champagne
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 preceded Hannibal into the restaurant, smiling a little nervously at the maitre d' who led them to their table. Will wasn't surprised to see that the place had a very romantic, quiet atmosphere; he wouldn't have expected Hannibal to choose anything less.

As he settled into his chair, he watched the man across from him. It was very obvious that Hannibal had been here before; the maitre d' and the waiter both seemed to know him, and he seemed extremely familiar with what the restaurant had to offer.

The waiter leaned down so that Hannibal could whisper something into his ear; when he left, Hannibal sat back with a smile, looking over at Will.

Will raised his brows in a silent question, glancing after the waiter.

"I've arranged for a bit of a surprise, Will," he said softly, his dark gaze locked on Will's face. "I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to celebrate our first date." He looked pleased with himself, but unless Will was highly mistake, he looked a bit nervous, as well.

"Usually, I don't like surprises all that much," Will told him, smiling and feeling a little more relaxed. After all, if Hannibal was nervous about their first date, then he had no reason to be, did he? It put them more on the level of equals.

He'd never thought that he would feel that way about Hannibal; the other man had always seemed out of his league, someone who he could never hope to have.

But Hannibal had asked him out on a date; that meant that he must be interested in them being more than friends. He was sitting here in Petit Louis, across from Hannibal, because he was wanted. Still, he wasn't going to get his hopes up too much.

Hannibal frowned slightly, leaning forward and looking concerned.

"Will, you look as if something is bothering you," he said, sounding as nervous as he had looked just a moment ago. "Is this a place that you don't feel comfortable in? If so, I can cancel our reservations, and we can go somewhere that you would like better."

Will was quick to shake his head; he didn't want Hannibal to think that he didn't appreciate a place like this, or that he couldn't accustom himself to it.

"No! That's not it at all," he protested, feeling a blush steal into his cheeks. Dammit, he hated the way he blushed when he was embarrassed. "It's just .... a little overwhelming. I never thought I'd be in a place like this. But I like it. It's beautiful."

Hannibal visibly relaxed, leaning back in his chair again with a nod. "I thought you would appreciate it," he said softly, his gaze never leaving Will's face. "I enjoy the ambiance, and the food is wonderful. And --" he looked up as the waiter approached -- "There are little surprises."

Will didn't have to wonder long just what that "surprise" was.

The waiter held up the bottle of champagne; Will could see the words Perrier-Jouet, and a logo of white flowers on a green bottle. His eyes widened, and he gasped aloud; he had recently read something in a magazine about this particular brand.

"Hannibal, you're not paying over six thousand dollars for us to have a bottle of vintage champagne," he said, his voice trembling a little. "I'm not worth that."

"You are worth that, and much more," Hannibal told him, placing his hand over Will's where it lay on the tablecloth. "Will, to me, you are priceless. One bottle of champagne, regardless of the sot, couldn't possibly compare in price to how much you are worth to me."

The words almost brought tears to Will's eyes. He meant that much to Hannibal? No one had ever said anything like that to him before -- and he couldn't help feeling not only touched, but treasured and cherished in a way that he had never been before.

Hannibal's fingers squeezed his gently, then let go.

He took a deep breath as the waiter poured the champagne; he didn't know what Hannibal was thinking, but he hoped that their thoughts ran along the same lines.

All he could think was that this night seemed to be full of surprises -- and all of them were good ones. The evening had barely begun, and so far, he was happier than he could remember having been in a very long time. Mainly because he was with Hannibal.

He couldn't imagine this night getting much better, but he was sure that it could. After all, he was with someone he cared about a great deal -- someone who he was maybe even in love with -- and that person seemed to feel the same way about him.

But he wasn't going to let himself rush ahead, Will cautioned himself. He would take things slowly, and hope that things worked out the way he wanted them to.

Hannibal raised his glass; Will did the same with a smile. "Cheers."

Will didn't look at the man across the table from him as he sipped his champagne; the nervousness was back, and he could only look at the menu, feeling butterflies turning cartwheels in his stomach. So far, the evening had already been great -- but he hoped that it would get even better.

***