(18+) Hannigram Smut | Hannibal

Versailles - Prologue

I was very new to writing when I started this series so the first few chapters are not... great, but I promise it gets better just stick with me please 🙏😭

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"Une bouteille de votre meilleur vin, merci."

"Bien sur monsieur. Tout de suite."

The shop-keep retreated to the back of the winery to fetch the finest bottle of wine they could offer. He was selling the wine to a well-dressed middle aged gentleman, with short greying hair and a subtle glint of mischief in his eyes. He was about 6' and was accompanied by a well groomed French spaniel, with a tag reading 'Bella'.

"Erm... who, might I ask is... um..."

The shopkeep was struggling to translate, as he appeared from the back of the store front.

"Bella?"

"A dear friend of mine." The man answered.

Hannibal Lector (or as his co-workers new him) Mathieu Colère, was living in a small grape farm on the outskirts of Versailles with his husband, Gabriel Colère, who had previously gone by Will Graham. Although the two were merely pretending to be married to keep up appearances and avoid questions, Hannibal secretly liked them having to keep up the charade in public.

Hannibal enjoyed walking the streets of Versailles, and although he loved its grand palace, gardens, luxurious museums and operas, he couldn't help but compare it to his time in Florence. Although, he knew he could never go back there again, not after what happened.

The gate swung open to 'Le Fugitif Farm' and so Hannibal unclipped Bella from her leash and let her bound up to the small cottage at the end of the property. Sitting on a bench on the front verandah of the cottage was a small scrawny man tying bait to a fishing rod. He slowly and very carefully placed a tiny scrap of, what appeared to be meat, to the hook and secured it with a small lock of hair.

"Hello, Will."

"Hannibal."

There was a long pause as the two stared at eachother, patiently.

"Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac"

Hannibal said, pulling the bottle of wine out of his satchel. He handed it off to Will, who studied the label closely.

"This will be an exceptional substitute for the one we enjoyed together earlier this year. Sadly, Dolarhyde interrupted before I could really enjoy it."

Will looked up at Hannibal, handing the bottle back to him.

"Well, I enjoyed it." He said smugly.

"Yes. Yes, you did. Shall I open it for us?"

"Please."

Night fell and the two sat in big, plush arm chairs by a roaring fire. The chairs were reminiscent of those Hannibal had in his office, Will remembered him being quite eager to purchase them. Will new that Hannibal was missing his old life. The chase was what kept him entertained, it's what kept him alive. Bella sat curled up on the floor as the two sipped wine together quietly.

"I need more dogs."

Will said, breaking the silence. Hannibal chuckled softly.

"... I need more too."

"More dogs?"

"Just... more, than this I mean."

"I know."

The cottage was small, you see, too small for a second bedroom. So, to keep up the illusion of marriage (and because they both secretly loved it) Hannibal and Will slept in the same bed together.

But tonight, on one of the coldest nights of the year. They would find themselves thankful to sleep in such close quarters to eachother.