Title: Watcher in the Woods
By: angstytimelord
Pairing: Hannibal Lecter/Will Graham
Fandom: Hannibal
Rating: PG-13
Table: Otherwordly Challenge, tv_universe
Prompt: Nemophilist
Author's Note: Sequel to "Lonely Nights."
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.
***
He loved being in the woods.There was something peaceful about being here alone, Will thought, looking around him and heaving a deep sigh of contentment.
He had no fear of the woods; at least, not the ones around his house. He had explored every inch of them at some time or other; he knew all of the trails, all of the paths. They weren't really thick woods, either; only the ones behind the house were wild and overgrown.
And those were a good distance from his home. He didn't have to worry about anything sneaking out of them to attack him.
The thought made him shudder.
Will pushed the thought away, determined not to let it put a damper on his day. He intended to enjoy the free afternoon wandering in the woods with the dogs.
Well, only two of the dogs, he amended, reaching down to pat both Winston and Vincent. The two of them had wanted to come out; the other four had stayed inside where it was warm, content to doze on their blankets and play with their chew toys.
These two dogs really seemed to enjoy these outings, so Will took them out as much as he could, even though he couldn't make himself stay out long.
After all, as much as he enjoyed the woods and considered himself a nemophilist, it was the dead of winter, and having been born and raised in the much warmer climate of Louisiana, he got cold easily. He wondered sometimes why he had moved here.
He answered that question quickly in his mind. He had moved here because he'd wanted to work for the FBI. There hadn't really been another option.
And for the most part, he really enjoyed living in Wolf Trap.
The only thing he didn't like was that it was so far away from Hannibal. His boyfriend was over an hour away in Baltimore. Much, much too far.
There were times when he thought of moving to Baltimore, but he always discarded the idea. He didn't think he'd like living in the middle of the city; he hadn't liked it when he'd been a cop in New Orleans and had an apartment in the French Quarter.
He preferred living out here in the country, where he could be solitary and do his own thing. He had privacy out here, a kind of privacy that he would never have in the city. He couldn't give this up, not even to be closer to his boyfriend.
Hannibal understood that. Hannibal knew how he felt about his home, about his peace of mind. He wouldn't insist that they live closer to each other.
Winston lifted his head as though he was scenting, then barked loudly.
Will turned around, his gaze searching the woods. He knew what Winston had sensed; he could feel it, too, more acutely than he'd ever believed he would.
Someone was watching him. It was as though there were eyes all around, boring into him, watching his every move and noting exactly what he did. It was a frightening feeling, knowing that he was no longer safe in the woods he loved, so close to his own home.
If there was a watcher in the woods, then he shouldn't be out here alone, with only two dogs for company. He should call the local police.
But that wouldn't do much good, would it? After all, he was an FBI agent, and most of the local cops knew that. They would expect him to be able to take care of himself, even if there was some sort of dangerous person stalking him near the safety of his home.
Other people coped with stalkers, Will thought, straightening his shoulders and taking a deep breath. Why couldn't he? And he might even be wrong.
Maybe it was a figment of his imagination. Maybe nobody was there.
But the actions of the dogs told a different story. Vincent and Winston were both stock-still, not growling yet, but obviously on the verge of doing so.
Will sighed softly, knowing that they needed to head back to the house and keep themselves safely inside. He wasn't imagining things. There was someone watching him, and the thought made him feel more uneasy than he could say.
His nemophilist leanings might have to be put on hold for a while. He didn't feel that he could enjoy these woods any longer.
With a sigh, he turned to head for home, hoping that he wouldn't be followed.
***
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