Chapter Text
Florence, Italy
Florence in the fall is beautiful. There’s nothing like it, really, not anywhere in the world. There’s a slight chill in the air, not cold per se, but brisk enough to require a jacket. The trees are a burst of color, magnificent reds and yellows and oranges. While there’s not many trees in the heart of the city, there are many along the edges.
That’s where Will Graham stands now, on a bridge somewhere overlooking a beautiful garden. He breathes in the crisp autumn air, letting his eyes flutter closed to savor the moment. He had always wanted to travel abroad, to see the world. He never had, of course. Never the right time, never enough money. Never until Hannibal showed up. Never until Hannibal left.
Will hadn’t been sure why he’d followed Hannibal to Europe. He had tried to convince himself it was to arrest him, to catch him once and for all, but that hollow longing in his chest didn’t go away once Hannibal was locked up. It didn’t go away when he met Molly, it didn’t go away when he married her. It didn’t go away until he was on that cliff, his body entangled with Hannibal’s. It went away as they fell and crashed into the water below.
He hadn’t known what that meant back then. He certainly does know. He was, and is, completely and irrevocably in love with Hannibal.
Thinking back on it know, Will smiles. It had been nearly three years since that night on the cliff. Nearly three years since he’d dragged his broken body onto that rocky beach to find Hannibal waiting for him. Nearly three years since Will collapsed into his arms and they held each other close.
Everyone thought they were dead. Everyone still thinks they’re dead. They had seen it all play out on the news. The search parties, the statements for Jack and Molly and so many others they had known. But that life was over. The Will and Hannibal they knew WERE dead. Their bodies were never found, but who could have survived that fall?
As soon as they were well enough to, Hannibal and Will left their old lives behind. They caught a plane to Italy and never looked back.
Standing here now, his old life feels like a blurry dream. Baltimore and Wolf Trap have never been further away. He regrets nothing.
A familiar voice pulls him from his reminiscing. “Will,”
Will smiles and turns to face his lover. “Hannibal,” he says. His smile is not returned. Hannibal’s face is held in a way it hadn’t been since they’d left it all behind.
“Did something happen?” Will asks, his brow furrowing. They had found peace in Florence, free of their pasts.
“Someone’s been killed,” Hannibal replies solemnly. “It’s all over the news. This could topple everything we’ve built here.”
Will turns away from him, watching the sun dip below the skyline in a great fiery haze of orange. “What’s that got to do with us?”
Hannibal is silent. He draws in a breath and opens his mouth to speak, but no words escape his lips.
“Hannibal,” Will says, his voice much firmer than before.
“It’s.. difficult to explain, Will,” he replies at last. “I’m not even sure myself.”
Will closes his eyes again, but not the savor the moment. It is a silent plea. Please don’t let this be over. Please don’t let this fall too.
He draws a shaky breath. “If you can’t explain, then show me.”
Hannibal steps forward, standing beside Will. “It will be alright, Will. We’ll figure it out together.”
He nods, and finally turns to face him again. “Show me,” he repeats.