Fandom: Red Dragon/The Silence of the Lambs/Hannibal

Pairing: Hannibal Lecter/Will Graham

Rating: R/NC-17

Beta: Malakai_Amlug & elfinessy (thank you very much, to both of you)

Summary: Sometimes running is not possible as the past catches up with you.

Notes/Warning: This is a slash story which means that it features two grown up men in love with each other and physically expressing this emotion in various forms. If you are in any way or degree homophobic, disgusted, disturbed, feel threatened or weirded out by such a relationship, please do not read any further and don’t write me any stupid e-mails to preach about the wrongs or rights of homosexual relationships.

Disclaimer: The characters portrayed in this story are by no means mine and belong to Thomas Harris. If you want to have some picture as a guideline for what these guys actually look like I would strongly suggest watching the movie versions of the books, which were done by DeLaurentis Pictures. As for the musical help I had with this story. The chapter titles and the paragraphs of lyrics in each chapter are songs composed and performed by Placebo. Therefore they are not mine either. I am not making any money with this and purely do it for my own amusement and entertainment.



CHAPTER SIX – Passive Aggressive


"It's in your reach
Concentrate"


The interior of the restaurant was modern but had an appealing Caribbean touch to it. Although one could easily see the European influences here and there, the decorations and the plants were typically Trinidad. A gigantic potted palm tree was placed in the middle of the room, its canopy reaching to the glass ceiling. All around its trunk and through its leafs twinkling lights had been woven.

The bar was made of tarnished wood and the bar top looked like they had used old, stained metal. It made a nice contrast to the immaculate white walls . Two sides of the room were wall-high, glass windows, which had wooden frames of the same color as the bar. White, cotton blinds were folded back, so people from the inside could get a look at the huge porch and the water outside.

Hannibal waited for the waitress at the entrance to look up the reservation and was guided through the room to the porch outside. Their table was on the small platform next to the pond, a couple of stairs leading down from the main porch. The outer walls next to the stairs were overgrown with bougainvillea, the blossoms of such a bright pink they almost seemed to glow.

From the table they would have the most beautiful view over the water, the vegetation and the lit porch. Next to the decking of the platform tiki torches spent more light.

He sat down and said that he would wait for his guest before ordering. Watching the dark-skinned woman retreat to the inside of the restaurant, he wondered if maybe Will had changed his mind and what he'd do if the other wouldn't show up. Would he be angry or disappointed? Hannibal wasn't sure. He wasn't sure what he felt.

Watching Will struggling on it had been clear to Hannibal that things would progress like he had planned. It was clear that they were unable to stay away from each other, so why not try to make the co- existence a pleasurable one?

His musings were interrupted when the waitress neared the table again but this time with company. The woman's companion made Hannibal forget to breathe. Will was stunning. Although he wasn't wearing a suit – as it wasn't requested in the restaurant – he looked elegant in his ‘casual' clothes. He was wearing a short-sleeved silken shirt in a light pewter grey. It wasn't wide but flowed down the man's chest. The noil silk trousers were of the same pewter grey as the shirt but had thin white stripes between thicker grey ones. The final touch were the orange leather loafers, watch and bracelet he was wearing.

The grey material made the tanned skin glow with warmth and Hannibal wasn't sure what would feel softer, the light golden top of tousled hair or the silken shirt. Will's brilliant, blue eyes shone with wakefulness and life, no alcohol clouding them.

The two arrived at the table and Will slowly took his seat, all the time watching Hannibal's every move. He nodded his thanks to the waitress and she left to let the two men contemplate their orders.

"Good evening, Will. You look incredible."

Hannibal noticed the way the younger man moved his chair so he could flee easily should the need arise. Years ago he had provoked him, telling him that Will stank of fear but that he wasn't a coward. Tonight proved him right again. It was easy to see that the other was more than uncomfortable with this dinner but he had come anyway. His bravery was something that immensely impressed Hannibal.

"How I admire your courage."

Will's chair toppled over, attracting the attention of the neighbor table, as he jumped back from their table. His eyes had a wild and nervous look and his breathing had sped up.

"Please, do take your seat, Will. It's rude to remain standing while the other is sitting."

So Will was rather tightly strung. Hannibal had chosen the words he had said that fateful night to see what kind of effect they would have. He had wanted to test the water, find out how far he would be able to take things tonight. Apparently not very far at all. This was something that would take time. Will had yet to relearn trusting him. Not an easy feat but it was manageable.

"Please, no harm will come to you."

He could see the internal battle the blonde was fighting reflected in his expressive eyes. Caution, fear, anger and curiosity were fighting for dominance. In the end it was exhaustion and resignation that won out and he picked the wooden chair up from the decking, sitting back down at the table. It was interesting to see though that this time the chair was moved so Will was sitting right opposite of Hannibal. There would be no escape made during dinner. The chance to win him over was given.

"Thank you for coming. It's a pleasure to dine with you."

The compliment was answered with a curt nod of the golden head. Would the other stay silent throughout the whole dinner? Hannibal hoped not. He knew that he shouldn't become greedy and ask for more than the former FBI profiler, `his' former FBI profiler could give. But was a little bit of light conversation too much?

"I hope you had an enjoyable Sunday."

"You know very well how enjoyable it was. I am sure you have been watching me the whole day."

There was no trace of anger or sarcasm in the voice. It sounded more like something well rehearsed, bare of any inflections.

"No, actually I stayed away from you to allow you more privacy. I thought that might be a good idea. I knew I would have you to myself in the evening after all."

This surprised Will and he looked up, locking his blue with Hannibal's maroon eyes.

"Does this surprise you? You always knew that manners are of high priority to me."

"I don't expect you to exhibit manners around me, Hannibal. Killing me wasn't exactly polite." The blonde leaned on the table, closer to Hannibal. "Does this mean you'll leave me alone now?"

Hannibal chuckled amused. "Now this is something I can not do, Will. I offered once to have nice and constructive conversations but you refused back then. This time we will have those talks."

Will sat back again, casting his eyes on the white table cloth.

"I take it you aren't too enthusiastic about this but believe me, Will you'll change your mind about it.

"Can't you ever leave me alone? You won this battle years ago. You are free and I have lost my family. See, you are the winner. If you came here to kill me, get it over with and stop these stupid games."

The younger man's voice was lifeless and his shoulders were hunched down, his whole posture radiating the defeat he was feeling.

"Ah, so you think I won? Maybe I did but what good is a victory if you can't celebrate it, hmm?" He waved the waitress to their table and ordered a bottle of champagne. Once the woman had left to get their drink he refocused his attention on Will, who was staring out over the water. He truly was a sight to behold. Hannibal hadn't often felt a connection with a man but to the blonde he was drawn.

"Why do you think I am here to kill you? I already told you and you very well know that I have been watching you for some time. If my intention had been your death, we wouldn't be sitting here now."

Still no reaction from the other.

"Dear Will,.... "

"Don't call me that!"

He hadn't expected that extreme a reaction. Hannibal decided not to step back but to pursue the matter. "You are very dear to me though, Will. Why shouldn't I call you so then?"

"Just don't, please. If you want this, whatever this is, to work, you must never call me that."

"Very well then."

The matter was apparently of great importance to the blonde. Will glanced cautiously at Hannibal why unabashedly watched him. Although there was still much suspicion and caution in the blue orbs, it was clear to see that he had the permission to continue with his plans.

"Let us order dinner then."

Will opened the beautifully crafted menu and after a short glance at the prices he didn't feel hungry anymore.

"It's very expensive."

"Please, be my guest, Will."

Another second ticked by before the golden head bowed as the younger man finally settled on deciding about food.


"Everytime I rise I see you falling
Can you find me space inside your bleeding heart"


Food had been excellent and what had made it even more enjoyable was that Will had actually tried to make conversation. In the beginning it had been a little awkward since the blonde had always stopped when topics had somehow revolved around happenings in his past, but after some time, their talking had been fluent and amicable.

The waitress brought their bill and Hannibal placed the money under the serviette on the plate. Raising his eyes, they locked with two blue ones who studied every of his moves. He smiled at the younger man and questioningly raised an eyebrow.

"How is the evening going to continue?"

There was no fear or anger in the voice anymore just genuine interest.

"Since I have a car, I will drive you of course. It would be rude of me to make you take a taxi when owning a means of transportation." He got up and moved around the table, helping Will out of his chair. "Please, follow me."

Without complaint the blonde followed him over the porch and through the restaurant to the exit. Hannibal felt pleased that Will hadn't flinched when he had approached him. Things were progressing well so far. Outside the building they crossed the small bridge to the parking lot and Hannibal guided him to a silver-grey Bentley.

He unlocked the car and opened the passenger door for Will. After the other had gotten in, he walked round to his side and climbed into the car. His heart beat quickened slightly as he took in the close proximity they were sitting in. Their shoulders almost brushing, he could feel Will's body heat.

Turning the key in the ignition, he started the car and pulled out of the lot. It was rather dark now and he had to drive slowly since there were no lanterns on the driveway back to the street. Even with the headlights on the sight was rather poor. Once they had reached Ariapita Avenue there was enough light again and Hannibal sped the car up.

The drive was spent in comfortable silence with Hannibal enjoying Will's company. He had thought that it might prove to be more difficult to get him this far. After the other's initial reaction at the restaurant it had looked like their pace would have to be much slower.

The streets were busy and full of life with everybody dashing around, carrying costumes and decorations. The atmosphere was tense with the preparations for the festival, bands practicing in every yard, the firy music filling the people with even more energy.

Although it was very different from his beloved Florence, Hannibal had started to appreciate the openness and positive way of life in Latin America over the years. Since he couldn't reside where he wanted to he had to settle for second best. Lately second had proved to be first place though. He would never change the company of the charismatic blonde for the breath taking view of Florence.

The streets grew quieter the nearer they got to Will's house. Out here where most of the white people lived, the excitement of the preparations was missing.

Hannibal liked the younger man's neighborhood though. Nice, small houses with beautifully trimmed, well-kept gardens. Everything was peaceful and he could see himself relaxing after a long day together with Will in their own cottage.

They reached their destination and he parked in front of Will's house. Turning off the motor he got out of the car and went to the passenger side and opened the door before Will could do so himself. Hannibal wanted the evening to end the perfect way and he still hadn't made his whole intention clear to the blonde. He knew though how he wanted to accomplish this.

Will climbed out of the Bentley and led the way up the stairs and onto the porch where he stopped in front of the door and turned to his `shadow'. Clearing his throat, he raised his eyes to Hannibal's face and made to say his goodbye.

"It was a nice evening. Thank you very much, Will."

Hannibal's fingers itched to caress the other's face and this time he didn't hold back. Slowly he raised his hand and brushed an imaginary eyelash away. The skin felt even softer than he had expected it to be. He stepped closer to the blonde and let his hand rest on Will's cheek. Up close the other smelled like sun and coconut.

"Good night."

Turning, Hannibal left a speechless and slightly shocked Will behind.


"It falls apart
Falls apart"