After The Fall - Hannigram

Bruised

The two men stumbled into Hannibal's en suite. Hannibal watched as Will removed his bloody shirt. His body battered as he wiped the dried blood from his pallid skin and stared into his own empty eyes. Will could barely recognize himself, every movement hurt. Cuts ran across his chest and bruises surrounded every other bit of skin. Will continued to stare at his broken body in the mirror. Hannibal's heart broke as he see the man he loved before him in pieces. Hannibal ran a flannel under warm water and gently started brushing across Will's chest and abdomen. Will gritted his teeth and dropped his head back as the doctor continued to clean him up. Will slowly started to unbutton Hannibal's shirt and peeled it down from his shoulders. Will took the flannel from Hannibal as he turned around to expose  the nail tear in his shoulder blade. Will rested one hand on Hannibal's back as the other washed the dry blood from his shoulder down to the bottom of his back. Hannibal turned back around to face Will to discover Will's eyes glazed over. These two men were so different from each other but so similar at the same time. They were both so scared but brave in taking steps through pain just to endure these few seconds together. Both men knew the consequences of falling in love but being with that special person makes you feel like you can conquer anything. Hannibal's universe begins and ends with Will.

Hannibal traced Will's lips with the tip of his finger. Will pouts slightly as Hannibal resists the urge to bite and kiss his slightly chapped lips. Hannibal gazes so intently at each divot of Will's lips as if they could map out ancient seas and tell you the deepest secrets. Hannibal resists looking up to meet Will's eyes as he knew tears would fall. Will softly holds Hannibal's hands as they both take a deep breath in, taking in the silence that the air breaths around them.

Without speaking words the two men continued to clean up. Will softly traced the doctors jaw and down his neck, his palm ending up over Hannibal's heart. It was beating fast. Will felt the warmth from Hannibal's body as he closed his eyes and felt the heartbeat through his gentle fingers. Hannibal placed his hand on Will's as they both paused for what felt like a life time. Hannibal took Will's hand in his as he walked him to the bottom of the stairs. Will walked up one step so he was a little taller than the doctor. Both intently staring into each other, with a nod of the doctor's head Will slowly let go of Hannibal's hand and ascended up the stairs to go to bed, leaving the doctor at the bottom.