#caffeineposting

Every muscle ached painfully, practically begging for some sort of relief. Pleading for him to surrender to the exhaustion that wrecked through him. It took everything in Lecter to keep himself stood straight, a quiet but sharp inhale escaping him. For him that relaxation would certainly never come. He ignored his pains, eyes glancing to meet Will’s. Will looked almost as pitiful if not more so, his hand raised as he watched the blood ooze off him. It looked black in the moonlight, just as Hannibal had told him forever ago. It seemed almost silly to think of such a thing now. They stood disheveled, soaked in crimson but not regret. For the Red Dragon was slain. This was the end. Their end. The final chapter.

Each breath like a burning iron pressed to young lungs, sharp inhales and gasps were shared between them. It was intimate. Will crowded Hannibal’s space as he was pulled close, hovering over his shoulder for some semblance of comfort. Their hands lingered, threaded together before letting go. Only temporarily. The arms of the Cannibal fully embraced Will as they conversed. Tucked against his middle to keep him steady. Not daring yet to bring him much closer. They were dancing on the edge of life and death, angry waves crashing just below. It was the end for them, and they knew it.

“See? This is all I ever wanted for you, Will.” There was a long pause, his usually thick and beautiful accent muddied by the blood pouring from his wounds. It stained his lips and chin, not in a dignified manner. Though it hardly mattered. Will thought he looked beautiful even now. Disheveled. Vulnerable. Raw. This was Hannibal Lecter at his lowest and truest. It was its own masterpiece.

“For both of us.” He finished, taking a deep breath to force the words out. Every word spoken took a great deal of effort, but it would be worth it.

Will forced himself to stand a little straighter, labored breaths coming out in short pants. He was lightheaded and truthfully incredibly nauseous, but a breathless laugh escaped him. Funny how this is where they ended up.

‘It’s beautiful.’ He meant it sincerely. It was beautiful in its own way.

Their gazes lingered before Will closed the gap between them, his free hand grasping Hannibal’s shoulder before sliding upward. Though messy, they kissed with as much fever and passion as any other. Their love true and unconditional.

Hannibal noticed the subtle shift in Will’s weight as they kissed, the way he suddenly leaned forward with the remaining energy he had. Will’s arm was braced over Hannibal’s shoulder, palm splayed open against his back. They were going down together. He did not resist, leaning backward to shoulder as much of the impact as he could. His arm raised to hug around the man’s back, they would remain close. For even in their final moments, Hannibal Lecter would not let Will Graham experience more pain than what was necessary. It was burden he would rather carry. No other words needed to be spoken, no other action necessary than this. Everything had been spoken true in that kiss. All final thoughts. Their last goodbyes. All lingering ‘I Love You’s. Everything made clear as they plunged into the icy depths below. The waves lapping at their bodies greedily as they hit the surface of the water so suddenly. They would die together like a Greek Tragedy, for they were like Achilles and Patroclus.