Wrath Of The Lamb - Blog Posts

Hannibal regressing at the cliff house because it is so overwhelming to be out of the BSHCI where he always felt like a bug (constantly being looked at and taunted about being trapped there until the end of time). He showers and changes, taking those moments alone to try and calm himself down. Then, when Hannibal is in the kitchen pouring two glasses of wine, Will starts to notice the signs something is amiss: rapid blinking, unsteady hands, uptick in breathing. Hannibal cannot stop the inevitable.

Usually, regression happens gradually for Hannibal. Tonight, regression happens in under a minute. He accidentally taps the wine bottle against the wine glass too hard and it ends up shattering, spilling wine everywhere. He barely manages to set the bottle back down with shaking fingers. He clutches the countertop for balance and stability. He cannot look at Will. He doesn't know how Will would react or treat him in such a state.

He knows making a mess is bad and deserving of punishment. He remembers receiving beatings in the orphanage after having dropped a full plate and being forced to sit outside in the cold. Reactive anger from Will (who's been pissed about Dollarhyde going after his wife and stepson) is a real possibility. Even if Hannibal does not remember everything while regressed, Will's been angry about something as of recent. That's all Hannibal knows. He's been bad. He's been even worse tonight. He's made a mess. He wants to be touched; hugged. Even if it's not something Hannibal deserves right now.

There is a moment where all Will can do is stare in bewilderment because Hannibal is never clumsy. There is wine all over the counter, all over Hannibal's knuckles and pants and shirt and sleeves. Hannibal's eyelids are clenched shut, eyelashes gleaming with unfallen tears. Hannibal's breathing is shifting into small and shallow inhales. Will steps closer and grasps Hannibal by the elbow, intending to pull him away from the mess. That is when the world seems to stop and Hannibal's voice trembles around a foreign word; something small and shaky and wet with emotion. That is when Will realizes Hannibal is in a different mindset; vulnerable and needing comfort; comfort Hannibal's not been given in three long years; maybe even decades.

the way Hannibal is avoiding Will's gaze when saying "for both of us" ???

somebody sedate me or else i'll wail my booty off about it for the rest of my life 😭 babygirl was so shy and uncertain in that moment. Hannibal went through life with the knowledge everyone around him viewed his violence as something ugly and unsettling (Lady Murasaki, Bedelia, Alana, Jack) until meeting Will. imagine a baby-faced Hannibal being rejected by his aunt when she says there is nothing left in him to love (can't remember the exact quote right now). imagine Hannibal pondering over those unforgettable words in regard to his relationship with Will during the last three years in the BSHCI, especially when Will became angry at him for sending Dolarhyde after Molly. imagine Hannibal still being uncertain at the cliff house: wondering if Will would let Dolarhyde kill him or if Will would kill him even after this moment, standing on the edge of the cliff, until Will responds with "it's beautiful"

imagine how life-changing it was for Hannibal to hear those words from Will.

words Hannibal's 20 year-old self probably never allowed himself to ever dream of hearing.

Romance peaked that day