Fic Summary: On summer vacation with Hannibal, Will acts on the spur of the moment and makes a life-changing decision. Not everyone is going to approve but that’s only the start of Will’s problems - how much does he really know about Hannibal and will he live to regret loving him?
Set in an AU where Will is a young genderfluid student who began dating Hannibal after they met as part of his studies.
Excerpt under the read more below:
Will and Hannibal have been invited to a garden party given by Mrs Komeda:
Both of them peered upwards; after a few sluggish spots of rain, the heavens opened. Will leapt up and so did Hannibal, snatching up his jacket from the grass. The rain fell in sheets and with such force it ricocheted off the ground. From around them came shrieks and screams; most of the guests ran for the house. Those already under the awning squashed up to make room for incomers; others ducked inside in search of things to dry off with. For Will and Hannibal, the sycamore was much nearer. And the rain was too intense - those who risked a dash across the lawns arrived dismayed and dripping.
Under the tree, Hannibal offered his jacket up to Will like an umbrella. But Will shook his head, dislodging several fat droplets from his hair and one from the end of his nose. He was already wet through - he could feel his dress sticking to his back.
“Too late,” he said. “And it’s not so bad under here.”
The tree was mature and broad-leaved and if they stood close to the trunk only a few splashes of rain penetrated. Hannibal was in much the same state as Will - his white shirt was sodden, especially across the shoulders and chest. But it was of thick, quality cotton - unlike Will’s dress.
“Um,” Will said, looking down - his dress was near transparent. “But maybe you could use that jacket to protect my modesty?”
“Oh dear,” Hannibal laughed, after seeing the state of Will’s clothing. He wrapped his jacket round Will’s shoulders and pulled him close. “Are you cold?”
“No,” Will sighed. “Just exposing myself to a party of rich strangers.”
“The lightning seems to have passed over,” Hannibal observed. “We should be fine under this tree. If we stay here your dress might have time to dry a little.”
Will shifted nearer still and put his arms around Hannibal’s neck. “Maybe some body heat might help?”
Outside of the tree’s protection the rain pelted down; Hannibal’s grip tightened around his waist. “I’m sure it would,” he said, his mouth tantalisingly close to Will’s. “It might also add to your problems, if we take it too far.”
But he kissed him anyway. Will’s skin tingled; he opened his mouth and urged Hannibal to do the same. He wished they were alone. He wished they were back at the beach house, free to do whatever they wanted, wherever they liked. The heat of Hannibal’s skin burned out through the wet shirt to greet Will’s palms. If he could taste it, it would be salty on Will’s lips.
