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Continued from here

Will drove the following evening to Hannibal’s home which is way far off from his own. How the dogs ran all the way to Wolf Trap from here he had no idea.

He parked in the driveway, and grabbed the dogs’ leashes before he headed up to the door. They whined and fought a bit along the way but Will didn’t let them win, knocking on the door to wait.

Hannibal’s smile when the door was opened gave Will’s stomach a little flip but he ignored it. “Hello, Will,” he said, then leaned down the dogs, “Hello Rom–”

Curly snapped at his hand when he tried to touch him, his growl deep and deadly.

“Are you sure they’re yours?”

“They’ve been quite spoiled I’m sure in your care, it will just take some time for them to get to know me again.”

Will scoffed. “Sure. I’ll see if they even want to pass the threshold.”

Hannibal moved out of his way and he got the dogs inside, which didn’t improve their moods especially once the door was closed. He took off the leashes and they didn’t leave his side, practically knocking him over in an effort to stay away from Hannibal.

“I assure you—”

“I really think judging by their reactions that I can’t leave them here.”

“Will, be reasonable. Just sit with me at dinner, let them relax and relearn their environment. I have missed their presence more than they or you know.”

Will still doesn’t quite believe him.

They head into the dining room, impeccably decorated in an almost garish way, and Will sat down. The dogs put their heads on his lap, one on each side, while Hannibal walked into what he imagined must be the kitchen.

Will pets over the dogs’ heads one by one as he looks around the room.

Everything is perfectly put and not a single hair on the floor.

No dogs lived here, or at least not these.

When Hannibal comes back Will is more than ready to leave until the food is set before him.

Everything looked amazing.

“Steak au poivre, braised sweet potatoes and oven roasted garlic artichokes paired with a lovely Chateau Cheval Blanc.”

Will let go of the dogs and held out his glass for Hannibal to pour. “What vintage?”

“Forty seven.”

His eyes widened. “You just keep wine that expensive on hand?”

“For special occasions, yes.”

He knew just how expensive the wine was but paid no mind as he took a drink.

“It’s good.”

“I’m pleased.”

Hannibal put his hand on Moe’s head and the dog allowed his touch. The other dog moved around Will’s chair and seemed interested in attention.

“Huh.”

“They just needed to be comfortable.”

Will cut the steak on his plate and took a bite, letting out a sigh. Hannibal sat down across the table and poured himself a glass of wine never looking away from him. “Is it to your liking?”

“More than,” Will confessed, “I haven’t had meat this tender in…ever.”

“I have a very good butcher.”

“You must,” Will laughed, “Or the meat was tenderized to oblivion.”

Hannibal took a bite and Will watched as blood came down his lip. He licked it away and Will’s cheeks reddened. “What is oblivion anyway? Sometimes it’s better to take your time in a meal rather than rush.”

“I guess.”

“Who is looking after the other dogs?”

“Alana. She said I needed a night out even if it was to negotiate dog ownership.”

“Do you and Ms. Bloom have a romantic attachment?”

“No,” Will laughed, “I haven’t had a date in…nevermind.”

Hannibal smiled. “I haven’t had an intimate dinner such as this in quite some time myself. Even if it’s not a date, I am happy to share this meal with you.”

The rest of their meal was a whirlwind of talk that ended with Will having revealed most of his childhood and various secrets he’d never told another soul. He got teary eyed as he told Hannibal of his mother’s abandonment, chewing on the artichoke reminding him of a lost memory. The potatoes brought back his father’s death, alone in the house holding the body till the police came. He drank two glasses of wine and felt light headed by the end.

But happy.

He felt happy.

The dogs seemed to be happy as well to be in their home, ravishing Hannibal with attention the more he gave Will the same. He led Will to a chair by the fireplace holding two small raspberry tartlets and they stared into the flames with the dogs curled up at their feet.

“I had a good time,” Will confessed, taking a bite.

“I as well.”

He took another bite and felt a sudden warmth. “You spoke of your mother,” he said, “When we had a session.”

“Yes. I had a rather close relationship with her despite our short time together.”

“She’s dead?”

“Yes,” Hannibal said, staring into the fire, “My family was taken from me by those who did not want us in the position we held.”

Will frowned. “What do you mean?”

“My family is part of a royal line,” Hannibal explained, “I was once poised to take the reign after my father but our subjects were not so pleased by the way things were. I fled and worry if I return alone I may not be suitable to protect myself.”

“The dogs.”

“Romulus and Remus were quite angry with me for years after I fled. They grew angry and bitter at the loss of their true home,” he explained, looking to Will, “I believe that is why they chose you. Your warmth reminded them of something lost.”

Will blushed. “I’m not really warm. Really the last thing someone would describe as is…”

Hannibal reached across the chair and took Will’s hand. “You feel plenty warm to me.”

Will stared into his eyes and thought for a moment they shone red.

“Are you going to leave?”

“I have to remain your psychiatrist, of course,” Hannibal smiled, “But in time I suppose I will. I hope to have found a suitable person to rule at my side before then.”

Will’s stomach tightened and he let go. “I hope you do too.”

They finished their dessert and Hannibal walked him to the door, ever the gentleman. Will was torn with the idea of leaving the dogs here but they were sound asleep by the fire.

“I think I’ll leave them here.”

Hannibal smiled. “Thank you, Will. Same time tomorrow for our session?”

“Yeah. Goodnight Hannibal.”

He turned to leave and stopped when Hannibal took his hand.

“May I?”

Will nodded.

Hannibal kissed Will’s hand and looked up through his lashes. “Goodnight, Will.”

When Will left his mind was aflame with the evening as a whole.

Just twenty four hours ago he’d hated this man.

Now it felt as if they’d known each other for a lifetime.

He looked back at the house once more and for a moment it seemed to flicker in the wind, like a ghost only he could see.

Perhaps it was just how tired he suddenly was.

Will went to the car and pulled away with a smile.

Even if there was a murder tonight he had to view tomorrow, he felt as if Hannibal’s guidance was no longer a burden.

After all his hatred of shrinks and being psychoanalyzed, maybe the devil you knew was better after all.