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Title: Exactly What They Need
By: angstytimelord
Pairing: Hannibal Lecter/Will Graham
Fandom: Hannibal
Rating: PG-13
Table: 1drabble
Prompt: 7, Change
Author's Note: Sequel to "Driven To Distraction."
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. e

***

"Jack seems to think I need a change of scenery."

Will was talking to Hannibal, leaning forwards, elbows on his knees. He was the picture of rapt interest, but that wasn't how he felt, and Hannibal knew it.

"Perhaps a change of scenery isn't exactly what you need at the moment, Will," he said, feeling his way carefully through what he wanted to say. "Maybe what Jack is getting at is that you need a change of company -- or rather, that you need more company."

"You know that I'm no good in social situations, Hannibal," Will said, shaking his head, his tone discouraged. "That isn't a good idea. Not for me."

Hannibal, in turn, shook his head, mirroring Will's movement.

"That's not what I meant," he said, keeping his voice soft and hoping that he sounded persuasive. "I meant that you need someone to talk to, to commune with."

"I talk to you a couple of times a week," Will answered, sounding surprised. "These therapy sessions .... Oh." He paused, looking uncertain. "You mean outside of the therapy sessions? You think I should start coming here more now that I'm out of a job for a while?"

"You haven't been fired, you know," Hannibal told him, his voice calm and soothing. "You are merely taking a sabbatical. That's all. Nothing more."

"I know, but it feels like I have been," Will grumbled, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest. "I feel .... I don't know. Rudderless."

"You need more company than just your dogs," Hannibal said, deliberately making his tone severe. "I'm sure that you enjoy being around them, but you cannot exist with only canines around you. I believe that you need some human companionship. And I offer my own."

"You .... what?" Will asked, sitting bolt upright, his blue eyes widening. "You're offering to stay out in Wolf Trap? I thought you hated being in the country."

Hannibal shook his head, smiling. "With you there, I would enjoy the respite."

All right, so that might be a bit of a lie, he told himself. But it was all to the good if it made Will feel better -- and if it got him invited to Will's house for more than a day.

Will needed a change; he needed to be more in the company of humans. And he also needed to take his mind off of his work. He'd needed to do that for a while, Hannibal thought with an inward sigh. Will focused too much on the terrible things he saw every day.

"You need a change in your life, Will," he said with a smile. "And I believe that I'm the person to give you that change. I hope that you can agree with me on that."

His smile widened when Will nodded in agreement.

"You're right," he said, his voice soft. "A change sounds pretty good."

Hannibal hoped that the change would be exactly what they both needed.

***