Chapter Text
Will ran his palm up his younger brother’s back, trying to soothe him in the way that had worked since he was old enough to understand how easily overwhelmed his sibling could get in stressful situations.
“Adam, it's going to be fine. You will easily fit my clothes, I have spares. Besides, your suitcase will probably show up tomorrow.” Will wasn't so sure about the last part, but things would be ok, he would get his brother to see that.
“Will, the clothes I need to wear tomorrow are in that suitcase. I bought them for tomorrow, for your wedding. I have to wear them. And.. and.. my shoes-” His breath quickened as he scanned over the contents of the missing case in his mind. His arms were wrapped around his chest as he sat on the bed, leaning forward and rocking slightly. Adam shook his head, trying to reject reality. “No, no . I need that case!” His voice was becoming frantic as his anxiety increased.
“You didn't pack your spacesuit did you?” Will knew exactly how to handle the younger man. Adam stilled, turning to him with a confused expression on his face.
“Of course I didn't. Why would I?” His voice lowering as the thought distracted him.
“Oh good. So it's safe at home?” Will ignored the question and pushed the other to a point he could reflect more calmly on the scenario.
“Yes, yes it is,” Adam nodded, looking forward again and analysing his memory of when he last put the suit carefully in its rightful place in the wardrobe. “I put it there last week, Monday. I checked it this morning. It's safe.” He finished, slightly relieved.
“That's good. I don't have a spacesuit to give you if you lose yours.” He let out a soft laugh and the other mirrored him, albeit still slightly nervous. “I do have some regular clothes that you can borrow to make up for the regular clothes that you don't have with you right now, will that be ok?” Adam looked at his brother for a few moments before nodding, a smile breaking across his face.
“Yes. Yes, I think that will be fine. Thank you, Will. You know that I like things done a certain way and losing that bag has made me feel anxious. I… I… had my itinerary in there too, but I think I can remember what I had organised. The hotel has a pool, it opens at 6am, and I was going to swim before breakfast at 7am. They have a nature walk that I can take on the first day after the wedding, and there's an observatory-” Will's hand on his shoulder drew his attention to the older brother, making Adam pause as he turned to face him.
“It's ok buddy, once we have settled in, I will help you write out your itinerary. I know you have it memorized, you have such an amazing brain.” He smiled warmly at the smaller man, who was much more relaxed now.
“Most people don't think it's amazing , Will.” Adam didn't say it sadly, just matter of factly. Not many people were able to understand him, most assuming there was something wrong with him.
“Well, most people suck.” Will retorted with a grin, Adam hesitated for a second before letting himself laugh at the joke. Where nature had dealt Will too much empathy, it hadn't bestowed Adam with the natural instinct for it. It had to be learnt, the process never ending. Will imagined it was just as exhausting for Adam to try and understand what people feel and truly meant as it was for himself, constantly understanding a little too much of anyone, not being able to draw a middle ground and constantly having to renegotiate his core of morality. Growing up they had balanced each other out so well. Adam being a source of stability for Will, his sense of self unwavering and something the older brother used to drag himself from obscurity when his empathy threatened to wash him away. And Will being able to give Adam an understanding and perspective to draw him out from confusion and anxiety. Their time apart had not been beneficial for either, but it appeared that Adam's recent relationship had helped him grow, even though they had parted ways. And Will's relationship with Hannibal… well it was different .
“So, where is Hannibal? I haven't met him yet, Will. He should be here. I am your only family, this is important. W-we should know each other before we are family. You really should have both come to visit me before this.” Will nodded along to the admonishment, Adam was right. He had not been there nearly as much as he should have been, since his sibling and Dad had moved to New York, even moreso after their father had passed away. He felt another dollop of guilt for not visiting Adam in his new life in California, although he had to remind himself that his brother was doing fine, better than ever in fact. It didn't alleviate the responsibility he felt though.
“I know, I know.” Will replied wearily, scrubbing his hands over his face. “I'm sorry, I am . I haven't been there for you, as your brother.” Adam considered him for a moment, perplexed at his response, tilting his chin up slightly when he understood.
“I don't mean that I need for you to look out for me. I meant I should have had the opportunity to get to know your fiance. You know you can be easily led, Will. Where is Hannibal, you didn’t say.” The older man laughed softly into his hands, of course Adam was trying to look out for him. He took a deep breath, readjusting to the barrage of questions, said in one breath, that was the conversational style of his sibling. Sitting back, he looked at the younger man, half smile on his face.
“Right, right. He is picking up his brother from the airport. Flew in from Bucharest. His name is Nigel, they are twins.” The older informed Adam, trying to give him as much information as he knew would be asked off the bat. The younger nodded slowly, allowing the information to sink in.
“Oh,” He responded finally, perhaps a little disappointed. “Well then he will have to put aside time tomorrow.” Adam nodded a final time, firmly to himself, as though the matter were all sorted. Head whirled around to Will in a manner that declared the subject was about to change. “Will, could you help my put my things away?” He gestured to the hand luggage that held his toiletries and a spare change of clothes. “To get... settled.” Will stared at the other.
“You want me to help?” He asked astounded. The younger man nodded enthusiastically. “Wow, sure thing kiddo.” His baby brother had changed, or in the very least was consciously trying. Regardless of whether he would retrace Will's steps, aligning things just so, it was still relinquishing a little control in a new environment. He beamed back at a familiar frown that was spreading on Adam's face.
“I am not a kid anymore, Will.” He corrected, before standing and smoothing down his shirt. “Come on. There's a show on later, ‘ Physics in Forensics ’, I thought it would be something we would both like.” Adam subconsciously fiddled with his cuff as he made the suggestion. Will raised his eyebrows, again surprised at his brothers inclusive suggestion.
“That sounds perfect.” He said, his tone full of surprised pleasure. He moved from the bed to pick the small case up, placing it on the drawers, starting to unzip it. “Shall I put the stuff in the bathroom?” Adam blinked at the suggestion, before rushing to answer.
“No, no. I can do that. You can put the clothes away.” Adam gestured to the drawers as if Will would have somehow missed them, as the older brother let out a huffed laugh. So not completely changed. And just like that, Adam had taken the parental role of the two of them, and Will let him. For now at least.
Stepping out onto the sidewalk, the very bad man from Bucharest scanned his surroundings casually before moving away from the sliding doors and towards the designated smoking area, digging in his pocket for his smokes and lighter as he went. God, he hated international flights. Even ponying up for first class had barely made the almost sixteen hour flight bearable. Why the fuck his brother had decided to make his home in America was beyond him, but whatever. He had somehow survived the flight and was more than grateful that it would be another two weeks before he had to make the return trip. Nigel had decided to stick around for a while after the wedding, do a little sightseeing while he was visiting. Maybe scope out any business opportunities that might be available. Things were well under control back in Bucharest with Darko managing things, and Nigel knew he didn’t have to hurry back.
Nigel rolled his eyes as the Bentley pulled smoothly into the pick up lane in the arrivals terminal just as he lit up his first cigarette in more hours than he cared to count. Perfect fucking timing as usual. Count on Hannibal to be punctual even at a fucking airport. Rolling his neck and shoulders in an attempt to work out some of the stiffness from having sat so long, Nigel waited for the car to come to a stop before kicking his bag closer to the curb.
With a sigh of near contentment, Nigel blew smoke up and away as his mirror image stepped out of the high end vehicle and came around to draw him into a brief, but warm embrace. Eyeballing the cigarette Nigel held considerately away and to the side, Hannibal gave a derisive sniff, deliberately looking down his nose at Nigel. It was quite an accomplishment, Nigel thought with amusement, seeing as they were exactly the same height.
“If you think you’re getting in my car with that horrid thing, you had best think again” Hannibal said by way of greeting.
Nigel snorted and took another deliberate drag. “And if you don’t want blood all over your fancy fucking leather seats, you’ll at least let me finish fucking half before dragging me off to that fucking over the top hotel you’ve booked me at.”
“Still behaving like a crass neanderthal I see, Nigel.”
“Still got a stick up your ass I see, Hannibal.”
“You still look like a common criminal.”
“And you still fucking dress like a colorblind peacock.”
Both men glared at one another before breaking into fierce grins. “God, I’ve missed you, brolis ” Nigel said, not bothering to hide his joy at being reunited with his only living blood. It had been too long since they had been together.
“And I you, brother.” Hannibal replied, voice quiet but the emotion it contained just as evident. “Finish that awful thing if you must, I’ll take care of your lugg…..” Hannibal’s voice tailed off as he got a look at the bag laying at his brother’s feet. “Nigel, please tell me you did not stuff your suit into a duffel bag !” The pained look on Hannibal’s face earned him a snigger of laughter from Nigel.
“Relax, Hanni, I had the suit sent ahead to the hotel a week ago. They’re holding it for me. Didn’t want to fucking risk it getting lost in flight. God knows the epic shit fit that would have caused you.” Nigel laughed as he watched Hannibal sniff fussily at him again before snatching up the offending bag and moving to put it in the trunk without comment. Funny, while Hannibal had always been the more reserved brother growing up, Nigel didn’t remember him being quite this…..prissy. He wondered if Will Graham was to blame. God, he hoped his brother’s fiance wasn’t some stuck up, pretentious little prig. If that was the case, Nigel might just have to murder him before the wedding and save his brother a lifetime of grief. Speaking of which……
Nigel quickly stomped out his half finished smoke and slid into the passenger seat just as Hannibal restarted the car. “So brother dear, do I get to meet your precious Will tonight, or are you going to make me wait until the wedding to actually lay eyes on my future fucking brother-in-law?”
“It depends.” Hannibal replied as he merged smoothly with traffic. “Will’s younger half-brother flew in earlier this evening from California and there was a bit of a mishap with his luggage. When I left to retrieve you, Will was still trying to get Adam settled down. He was rather upset over the whole matter.”
“God spare us from the horrors of lost luggage! Sap should have fucking thought ahead like I did instead of throwing a hissy fit about it after it’s fucking too late. Sounds like a real drama queen.” Nigel sneered, rolling his eyes for good measure. “Please tell me I’m not expected to babysit this twat at the reception. You know how much patience I have for that kind of bullshit. I’m liable to hurt his delicate fucking feelings.”
“Perhaps.” Hannibal murmured. “Do you remember Matis?”
“What, from the orphanage?”
“Yes.”
Nigel remembered. Matis had always seemed like a fragile, twitchy little bird to Nigel, far too delicate for the horrors of the world they had been thrust into. The quiet little boy, different from all the rest and an easy target because of it, had been extremely sensitive and unable to handle any kind of aggression, and if nothing else had been in abundance in that nightmare of a place, aggression had sadly always been plentiful. Hannibal and Nigel had done their best to protect the gentle child from the cruelties of the bigger, meaner boys at the orphanage, but they had had a hard enough time protecting each other. In the end, their efforts hadn’t been enough and Matis had hung himself in his room late one night. The memory still haunted both brothers even after all these years. One more child they had failed to protect…..
Nigel cleared his throat against the memory, his voice gruff with emotion as he turned to look at Hannibal. “This Adam, he’s like Matis, then?”
“Not to the same degree, but yes. Asperger's instead of full blown autism but with similar triggers, limited social skills and the need for a rigid schedule. So you can see why the loss of his luggage was upsetting to him. The trip alone was difficult enough. Will had his hands full trying to calm him.”
“Yeah, I fucking get it. I’ll play nice.”
“Good. See that you do” Hannibal smirked. “I don’t need anything upsetting my soon-to-be husband anymore than he already is.”
“You know, the whole fucking big brother routine is going to get real fucking old long before this weekend is over, right? You won’t look so fucking pretty in your wedding photos with a busted lip.” Nigel threatened jokingly, happy to let their past go and lighten the mood in the vehicle.
“Well, I’m afraid I can’t say the same for you, brother mine. Almost anything would do to improve the constant snarl on your face. I don’t know how Gabriella stands waking up to you every day.” Hannibal snarked back. “Speaking of which, how is your lovely wife? I was surprised when you texted me that you would be coming alone.” Hannibal’s smile faded as he glanced over at his twin and noticed his expression had become shuttered and cold. It never meant anything good when his brother got that dangerous look on his face. “Nigel, has something happened to Gabriella?”
“Gabby is no longer a fucking concern.” Tight and clipped, the answer did not invite further inquiry. Not that that would stop Hannibal, Nigel thought bitterly, the sour feeling in his stomach returning, just as it always did when his thoughts turned to his beautiful, treacherous wife. God, he had loved her beyond reason. Adored her. Would have done anything for her. And she had used that love to make an utter fool of him. Glancing over at his brother, Nigel spat a low curse at the look on Hannibal’s face. Nigel knew that look, thought of it as his ‘therapist face’ and he absolutely despised that it was being directed at him. Deciding to head off whatever line of bullshit psychobabble his brother was about to unleash upon him, Nigel opened his mouth before Hannibal could start.
“My lovely fucking wife decided to make a cuckold out of me, so I made a corpse out of her and her cunt-faced lover as well. End of story.”
The next few miles passed in silence before Hannibal huffed a laugh.
“Fucking what is so fucking funny?” Nigel snarled.
“Well, I was just thinking about how you accused Will’s brother of being a drama queen over his lost luggage…. Really, NIgel, I believe the usual response to a cheating spouse is to procure a divorce.” And just like that, the tension broke and both men were laughing.
“God, I fucking hate you sometimes, Hannibal” Nigel grinned.
“I know.”
Will’s butt was starting to go numb in the position he sat in, propped against the headboard with Adam curled into his side, snoring softly. His sibling had been so tired he had almost fallen asleep before he had washed for bed, Will knew how agitated Adam would be if he had woken up the next morning to discover himself fully dressed and unwashed from the night before, so he had roused him enough to send him on his way to the bathroom. Within minutes, the younger man had been ready for bed, wearing a pair of Will’s pyjamas. That was to say Adam was wearing grey shorts and t-shirt. He had not hesitated to pull the covers over himself, turning towards Will. It sent the older man back to their youth immediately, sharing a bed and keeping one another company, and the memories were warm and welcome. They may have been two misfits, but they had had each other and that was more than enough.
Sighing, Will grabbed the blanket Adam had travelled with, navy blue fleece and dotted with constellations that glowed in the dark. He laughed softly at the thing; in all the other ways that Adam was changing, he was glad that these bits stayed the same. Tucking the blanket over the younger man, Will carefully climbed from the bed, ruffling his brothers more tame curls before he stood.
“Sleep tight, Kiddo.” He said softly, before turning and leaving the room quietly. Before he had even shut the door, fatigue weighed on him, layered by worries. There was so much to think about for tomorrow, and along with the guilt he was feeling from his reunion with his brother and the impending introduction with Hannibal’s twin, who by all accounts sounded like a dick, he was not in the best frame of mind.
Nigel followed his brother out of the elevator and down the carpeted hall to the suite Hannibal and Will were staying in. Hannibal had offered a nightcap and with the jet lag finally hitting him, Nigel though nothing sounded better than a drink before crashing for the night.
“Will may still be awake, he doesn’t sleep much when stressed. I’ll see if he wants to join us.” Hannibal said over his shoulder as he moved across the suite towards the closed bedroom door. “The bar is stocked with a decent assortment of liquor. Help yourself and I will be right back.” He closed the bedroom door behind him and Nigel could hear muffled voices through the thick wooden panel.
Nigel dropped his bag by the coffee table and moved towards the bar, scanning its contents before settling on whiskey over ice. Sipping his drink, Nigel wandered over to the balcony doors and stepped out, patting his pockets for his smokes. Half a cigarette in almost eighteen hours did not for a calm Nigel make. And he had a feeling he was going to need every bit of calm he could fucking muster to get through his beloved brother’s wedding. Knowing Hannibal, it was going to be fucking over the top and pretentious as hell. Not exactly Nigel’s idea of a good time. The things one did for fucking family, Nigel grimaced to himself.
Hearing noise from the main room of the suite, Nigel flicked his finished cigarette butt over the railing and went back inside to greet his soon to be brother-in-law. Both brothers were intensely private people and Nigel hadn’t even been aware of Will’s existence until Hannibal had called to tell him he was engaged, so Nigel had absolutely no idea as to what to expect. Striding into the room, he put on his most charming smile in an effort to make a good first impression. After all, he had promised Hanni he would play nice.
Well, Will Graham was a beauty, Nigel admitted to himself. A riot of silky chocolate curls sat atop a face composed of classic lines that appealed to both brother’s love of beauty, but the thing Nigel could almost guarantee had drawn Hannibal to the younger man would have to be the pair of haunted, piercingly blue eyes that hinted at a high intelligence and the ability to see far more than most would be comfortable with. Hannibal wouldn’t have been able to resist the combination.
Taken as a whole, Nigel found himself initially approving of his brother’s choice in mates.
And then Will Graham opened that lovely, rosebud mouth of his and shot that all to hell.
“You couldn’t wait to smoke outside?” Will wrinkled his nose in distaste as he slowly took in Hannibal’s twin. Such a bizarre sight, almost identical to his partner except for practically everything. From the loose hair falling over his face, to the way he held himself, tense and aggressive, to the rather odd taste in clothing. Although he had to admit, the dog print held a sort of charm. Will was willing to concede that his opening words had been curt, perhaps impolite, but as his eyes cut back to that amber glare, the set of his jaw annoyed him for no reason Will could put his finger on. “I see Hannibal took all the manners and taste in utero.” He garnished the words with a sardonic smile.
“Well hello to you, too gorgeous. And technically, I was outside. Your suite has a very nice balcony. As for manners, that’s fucking funny coming from someone who’s first words to his fiance’s brother make him sound like a whiny little bit-”
“Nigel! You promised to behave.” Hannibal cut in with a glare, bringing Nigel up short and causing him to grit his teeth. The smug grin Will shot him didn’t help to calm his temper any either. Nigel pictured tossing the little shit off the afore mentioned balcony, but figured his brother might not forgive him for giving in to the urge, no matter the provocation.
“Yeah, ok, Hanni. I know I fucking did.” Turning back to Will, Nigel summoned patience from who the fuck knew where and tried again. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Will. Hanni has told me almost nothing about you, so I look forward to getting to know you better. Since, after all, we’re going to be family.” And that was about as polite as anything Nigel could manage at the moment, what with Will still glaring daggers at him (over a fucking cigarette, for fuck’s sake) and the judgemental way he kept eyeing Nigel like he expected him to rob them blind before morning.
“I have never really held much stock with family,” Will cocked his head, not quite sure why he was trying to goad the other man, but there it was. Besides, he had made no promises to behave, had he? “Besides my brother, blood relations have never meant a great deal to me. Let alone in laws.” He huffed a laugh.
“Ever had any, Will? In-laws I mean?” Nigel’s smile was all teeth when the younger man shook his head no. “Well, I have. Just a bit of friendly advice. Some family, blood or otherwise, you really shouldn’t piss off. Makes family gatherings awkward, strains the ties that bind, as they say.”
Hannibal could feel a headache coming on as he watched the two most important people in his life square off like combatants on the field of battle. On one hand, it was highly entertaining watching the two of them circle round one another, each looking for weaknesses to exploit in the other. But on the other hand, Hannibal could feel a tiny fissure of alarm growing in the back of his mind as the tension in the room ratcheted up with each passing moment and with every insult exchanged.
Every bit as intelligent and cunning as Hannibal but with very little of his restraint, Nigel was always ready for a fight and Will was not at his best with stress and insomnia making him far more aggressive than was the norm. Introducing them to each other tonight had obviously not been one of Hannibal’s better ideas. He needed to defuse the situation before it deteriorated any further. Before he could move to do so, however, Will decided to escalate things. Hannibal hadn’t had time to tell him about Gabby and how it would be best not to mention her to Nigel. So, of course, that would be what Will zeroed in on; the one subject almost guaranteed to push his volatile twin past caring about promises made.
“I specifically remember making the invite out as a plus one, Nigel.” Will had poured himself a glass of wine and paused with it on his lips as he looked at the other man, unflinching in his eye contact. He took a sip before he continued, watching with a feeling of dark glee as the taller man’s nostrils flared. “Did your wife decide not to attend or are you as hopeless in your marriage as you appear to be in every other aspect?” Will smirked, wholly satisfied with the angry flush that was rising in the other man. He rolled his shoulders, uncaring at the warning signs being displayed and let out a sigh. “Well, this will be a lonely trip either way, won’t it?” He turned his back on the other man walking to the sofa to plonk himself down, curious to see what the other would do.
It took every bit of willpower Nigel possessed not to wrap his hands around that pretty little neck and choke the ever living shit out of his brother’s precious fiance. And the fucker knew it too. Nigel could see the smug awareness lingering on Will’s face and dancing maliciously in those baby blues. The younger man was obviously gagging for a fight and Nigel had never backed down from one yet. If the brat wanted to up the ante…...well, two could play at that game.
Nigel waived off the concern on Hannibal’s face and the apology he knew was forming on his brother’s lips. “It’s ok, Hannibal. Your pup has teeth. That’s a good thing, means he’s not easy prey.” Nigel knocked back the rest of his drink before strolling towards where Will sat sprawled on the couch to loom above the smaller man. “Cruelty suits you, Will. I imagine it helps you feel more in control, and that’s fucking fine.” Nigel sat down next to Will on the couch, leaning into his personal space like he was sharing the secrets of the universe. “But here’s the funny thing about situations you think you’re in control of, Will. You have to pay real fucking close attention to the details; lose your focus just once, and it can all turn to blood in an instant. My wife learned that lesson the hard way.” And Nigel dropped his mask, the one he wore to keep the world from seeing what lived inside of him, the one he had learned to wear right alongside Hannibal in that fucking frozen winter that had murdered their childhood and any bit of innocence they may have retained. For just a moment, Nigel let the monster peek out and say hello to his brother’s beloved before tucking in quickly away and offering an overly friendly grin. Absently he wondered if his monster still mirrored Hannibal’s, or if time and distance had changed even that between them.
The silence weighed heavy in the room as he waited to see if Will was smart enough to recognise the warning for what it was. He didn’t necessarily want the man afraid of him, respect and a mutual dislike would suffice.
Will snorted out a laugh, resting his head back against the coach.
“I should have known the two of you would share some of the same… qualities.” He let himself smile as he locked eyes with the rabid soul next to him. “You think I am unaware of who I am marrying?” He leaned back into the other man, despite himself. “I have looked into the heart of the devil; supped with him in hell. The dark holds no terrors for me, Nigel." He grimaced as he rose, striding towards the open bedroom door. “Hannibal, don't wake me if I'm sleeping when you are done with your… brother .” And with that he closed the door behind him, not bothering with any niceties to either man. Hannibal would know not to take it personally. In fact, Will would wager a bet that his fiance was damn well entertained by the whole thing. It was no skin off his own nose. What would it matter if Nigel and himself hated one another? Within a day or two an ocean would separate them and that would be that. With that comforting thought, Will readied himself for bed, pushing all thoughts of the distorted version of Hannibal to the very back of his mind.
Both men watched as Will stalked from the room, silent until the young man closed the door firmly behind him. With a tired sigh, Hannibal lowered himself to sit in one of the chairs across from the couch and eyed his brother with dry amusement.
“Well, that could have gone better.”
Nigel snorted humorlessly as he let his head fall back onto the cushions and closed his eyes. God he was tired. “Could have gone a lot fucking worse as well, brolis . Might still. You’ve fucking spoilt him, Hannibal. It makes him bold when he should be cautious. Even Gabby had enough sense not to provoke me too far.” Until she didn’t, and well, that had ended in blood, hadn’t it?
Rubbing both hands roughly over his face, Nigel decided to just let it go. It wasn’t as if he had to live with the man. That was Hannibal’s cross to bear. Letting his arms flop down to rest on his thighs, he looked over at his brother and laughed ruefully. “Ah, don’t listen to a fucking word I’m saying right now. You sure as shit don’t need to be taking marital advice from me. Maybe it’s good he’s got a fucking temper. It’ll keep you on those pointy toes of yours.”
Hannibal returned the rueful smile, acknowledging everything Nigel said with a slight nod. “Oh, he does that quiet easily. Like you, I can never precisely predict how he will react to any given situation.”
“Me? Oh, brother dear, I’m easy fucking enough to keep happy. All I require is good liquor, good food and the occasional opportunity for a good brawl. And absolute fucking loyalty from those I love. What more could a man ask for in this miserable world?”
Hannibal let his gaze travel to the closed door of his temporary bedroom, thoughts of piercing blue eyes and satin curls making the corners of his mouth lift with warmth. “What more indeed, brother mine?” he murmured. “What more, indeed.”
Will wasn't sleeping really, but he was at that deep lull that promised rest was incoming when the other man slipped into the bed. It was the cold feet that did it.
“Jesus, Hannibal. Now is the time you decide to forsake the luxuries in life like bed socks?” Grumbling, Will turned onto his side, one eye opening to find Hannibal's face next to his, a shockingly animated expression on his face, which on anyone else would be a simple grin. Will snorted.
“I am not in the mood.” He mumbled, not able to help the quirk of a smile pulling at his lips.
Hannibal ignored the grumbling and snuggled closer, chasing Will’s retreating limbs with his admittedly cold feet. “But mylimasis , in just a few short hours, we will be wed, and as my spouse it will be your responsibility to see to my comfort and health.” Hannibal flinched at the sharp kick he received to his shins and dutifully pulled back the offending appendages. “Perhaps you could do with a bit of practice.” He sighed ruefully.
If Will's eyes had been open, they would have rolled. Instead he flicked them open, giving Hannibal a sharp look, softened by a lopsided smile he was still fighting.
“Your brother is bringing out the barbarian in you, Hannibal. Since when do you walk around barefoot?” The younger man was trying very hard to maintain his notorious grumpy facade. But he couldn't deny that, despite all the pre wedding stress and family drama, he was deliriously happy. Rolling onto his front and closer to the other man, Will buried his face and grin into the pillow, hooking his foot over Hannibal's calf and drawing it back to him. He was trying to stay mad, for reasons he didn't quite understand and was too tired to parse out. Peering at the other man from the pillow, his hand travelled up to his hair, running fingers through the locks before grasping and yanking. “You smell of smoke.” He snorted and closed his eyes again, quietly enjoying the warmth that radiated from Hannibal's chest.
Hannibal’s rumble of pleasure was lost in the silky curls he nuzzled against as he enjoyed the possessive hold Will had on him. Pulling the smaller man close, he maneuvered around until Will was comfortably draped across his chest before answering cautiously.
“And you smell of stress, anxiety and aggression. Tell me Will, which of our two brothers has you so out of sorts? It’s not like you to react so aggressively without provocation.”
“Neither. Both. Yours.” Will grunted a laugh. “I'm not even sure, but I'm swinging mostly towards yours.” He let out a sigh before inhaling the familiar scent that was Hannibal.
“Mmmmm….” Hannibal hummed thoughtfully. “Any thoughts as to what exactly bothers you so about a man you have just met for the first time this evening?”
“I'll be the first to admit, Hannibal, that I am not in the best of humours tonight. Adam has me wearing my weight in guilt without even trying.” He ran his palm over the soft skin that ran from Hannibal’s hip up to his shoulder blade. “But there's something almost instinctual about my dislike towards your brother. I can just feel he's gonna do something to piss me off. It's building like a storm.” Will huffed out a breath. “Maybe it's just me.”
Hannibal sighed under the gentle caress, allowing his hands to wander over the warm body pressed so close to his own. “Nigel can have that effect on people.” Voice turning serious, he reached over to tilt Will’s chin up, seeking eye contact to ensure that the younger man was listening. “I do not expect you to warm up to Nigel in any considerable manner, but I would ask that you try to at least remain civil. He is my only living blood relative, and as such, he is important to me. Just as your brother is to you.” Hannibal considered saying more, but hesitated, not wanting to reignite Will’s ire.
“Yeah, but Adam isn't an ass-” Will bit off the word and shook his head. “Ok.” He agreed, resignedly. He didn't want to fight with Hannibal, not that either of them could do that properly anyway. They enjoyed sparring far too much. Will was content to be calm with the other man right now. He jumped slightly as the other foot came to wrap round his leg. “Are you trying to tell me something?” He looked at Hannibal, a lazy smile spreading on his face.
Hannibal gave Will his best innocent look. “I have no idea what you mean dearest.” And then he ruined the effect by giving a lazy roll of his hips, pressing his obvious erection against his fiance’s soft skin.
Will smirked at the other man. “You are incorrigible, Doctor Lecter. I was in fact referring to your feet being cold. You aren't having second thoughts are you?” He feigned a hurt look as he teased the waistband of Hannibal's pyjama bottoms.
Hannibal had to suppress a grin as he pretended to misunderstand, schooling his face into exaggerated confusion. “I though this entire conversation was begun with establishing that my feet are, in fact, cold. Mongoose, are you sure you are feeling quite well?”
A dark eyebrow arched as blue eyes held Hannibal’s amused gaze for a still moment, before Will pushed his chest to the other man's. His palm moved over hip bone to rest on his fiance’s ass, pulling body flush against body as his lips met Hannibal’s. He licked into the other man's mouth passionately, pleased with the soft moans that the other fed to him. Mouths parted as they caught their breath and Will repaid Hannibal's hip roll with a firm thrust of his own before pulling back to put space between them.
“Now that you mention it, my love, I am feeling exhausted.” He stifled a mock yawn and grinned at the dark look in Hannibal's eyes.
Hannibal’s eyes narrowed in a mixture of annoyance and amusement as he seriously considering rolling Will beneath him and fucking the sass right out of his soon to be spouse. Will would allow it, Hannibal knew, would even enjoy it, but there was something so alluring about seeing Will like this, clearly enjoying the power he held over Hannibal in this moment. With a sigh, he instead turned the younger man to face away from him so Hannibal could spoon behind him and hold him close. Nosing into the soft curls at the nape of Will’s neck, he groaned as Will wiggled back into the embrace to tease him with the swell of his ass pressed against his hard length.
“Cruel boy, how I adore you.”