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Title: Soar
By: angstytimelord
Pairing: Hannibal Lecter/Will Graham
Fandom: Hannibal
Rating: PG-13
Table: 8, 50ficlets
Prompt: 8, Fly
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

***

Hannibal took a deep breath, looking across the space that separated him from Will. They were each settled into their respective chairs, but unless he was highly mistaken, neither of them was at ease. They were both tense, tightly wound and ready to spring.

He knew why he felt that way, but it seemed odd that Will should also be so tightly wound. He had to find out what was bothering the young man.

And he also had to figure out a way to ask Will out. He wasn't going to put it off until another night, no matter how odd Will's behavior might seem tonight. If he waited, he might not be able to bring himself to ask. No, it had to be this night, or never.

Still, he had to make sure that Will was more relaxed before he asked.

Clearing his throat, he focused on the other man, nothing that Will still had a hard time making eye contact with him, even after all the sessions they'd had. It was a little annoying to realize that Will was still so shy, so reticent. But it was a bit endearing, too.

He wanted to bring Will out of that shell, to let him break out of his self-imposed chrysalis and fly. He wanted to show the world just how beautiful Will Graham was.

How could anyone not see Will's beauty? It seemed inconceivable to him that this man was still single, that he wasn't even casually dating -- and that he wasn't, by Will's own admission only a couple of weeks, in any way sexually active.

Yes, now was the time. Hannibal opened his mouth to speak, feeling his muscles tense.

"Will, I .... was hoping that you might do me a bit of a favour," he began, cursing himself when the words came out of his mouth. That hadn't really been what he wanted to say, but he couldn't turn back and start over now. The words couldn't be unsaid.

"A favor?" Will asked, raising his brows in question. A smile hovered around the corners of his lips. "As long as you don't want me to do anything outrageous, like breaking the law, helping you hide a body or anything like that, I think I can do you a favor."

The words startled Hannibal, making him start visibly, his eyes widening. Fortunately, he managed to hold back the slight gasp that rose to his lips. Did Will .... know? Was he somehow cognizant of what lay in the basement, what was in the freezers?

No, of course not. He couldn't know. But Hannibal made a mental note to be sure that certain doors were locked and bolted, just to be safe.

"Of course I wouldn't ask you to help me hide a body," he said with a smile. "Nothing like that."

"Then what's the favor?" Will sat forward, resting his hands on his knees, finally looking directly at him. Those blue eyes were absolutely mesmerizing, Hannibal thought, suddenly feeling as though he was adrift in a deep blue ocean, being pulled under sparkling waters.

Hannibal moistened his lips with the tip of his tongue, suddenly afraid to ask Will the question that had been hovering on his lips ever since the young man had entered the house. He didn't know quite how to ask; best if he simply put the question out there.

"I'd like for you to go out with me," he said softly. "On a date. A romantic dinner date. I'm attracted to you, Will, and I'd like to think that you could feel the same way about me."

Once the words were out, he held his breath, wondering what Will's answer would be. He could tell that he had surprised the other man; Will's sapphire eyes had widened, and his mouth had dropped open slightly, as though he wanted to speak but didn't know what to say.

Hannibal hoped that he hadn't shock Will into complete silence.

It took a few moments for Will to find his voice again; when he did, he nodded, then said, "Yes." The word was a simple one, hanging in the air between them; Hannibal almost felt as though he could reach out and touch it, wrap his fingers around the sound.

Yes. Will had said yes. Will was going to go out with him, on a date. He could feel his heart soar in his chest; he felt as though he could fly.

This would be the beginning of the rest of their lives together, Hannibal told himself, a smile spreading over his face. This was the first night of the rest of their lives; he and Will, together, a couple. It had to work out that way. They were destined, meant to be.

His heart was pounding, his senses soaring. He had never been so happy.

Will had said yes. The words repeated in his mind like a mantra. Will had said yes. Will wanted to be with him. This was the beginning. Only the beginning.

He wanted to jump for joy, to shout, to scream. But instead, he forced himself to say calmly, "I've already made a dinner reservation at one of my favourite restaurants. Not black tie, but dress nicely, Will. You look wonderful when you clean up a bit."

Will laughed, shaking his head ruefully. "I don't like dressing up, but for you, I'll do it." He leaned back in his chair, a smile lifting the corners of his mouth. "Of all the things I thought you would ask me, that wasn't one of them. It's kind of a surprise."

Hannibal didn't answer. He was too busy letting his heart fly into the skies, soaring above the clouds.

***