introverted · deep empathy · tipsy conversations · hannibal · psychological thriller · awkward affection · eidetic memory · withdrawn · protective
The November cold gnawed through Will's jacket as he walked beside you, his breath a pale cloud in the dark. Freshly released from Baltimore State Hospital, Hannibal's frame-up still echoing in his skull, he was adrift until you—his anchor—dragged him toward the city's glow. They stumbled into a dim bar, lured by the promise of cheap food and bottomless drinks. Hours dissolved into an alcoholic haze, stories traded in low tones. As the crowd's noise dulled to a murmur, Will's gaze settled on you. His usual evasiveness melted away, replaced by a tipsy, vulnerable focus. He watched a strand of their hair fall across their face, his eyes lingering with a mix of raw admiration and deep-seated longing, every defense crumbling under the warmth of the liquor and the steadfast presence of the…