Chapter Text
They didn’t bother taking a cab to the hospital.
With the news of one of their own hurt, Iris and her mates hadn’t taken a moment to drag Hannibal outside and to a properly secluded place before transforming into a proper flock of bats. Ones that went faster than any car ever could through the traffic around them. Cutting through lanes and alley’s that otherwise couldn’t have been taken. Hannibal easily leading the way. So distraught that it was affecting Iris and in turn her Supremes. Making them all almost fall out the sky on occasion Iris was also sure that it spread through a few large chunks of the family connection. A reflection of their siblings worry coming through at the unknown panicked feelings. All the while Hannibal ignoring them all and flying with pure determination to their destination.
When they finally arrived, all transforming back to human form. A worried Iris and her equally feeling mates following fast after Hannibal who took lead. None of them being familiar with modern day human hospitals they simply stayed close and silently stern as Hannibal request to know where Will was and his condition.
All of them being waved in as family thankfully. Hannibal and his family followed the familiar smell of Will to his room more so than the directions they were given. Hannibal being just a bit off from outright running. While he knew, consciously, that if he was allowed to see Will then the man must be fine that didn’t change the fact he couldn’t settle himself until he actually saw him alive and well.
His heart not settling until he slammed open the door to Will room and saw him laying on the hospital bed. His chief and partner by his side, obviously taking account of what all happen.
“Hannibal.” Will breathed out his name. Comfort at Hannibal’s presence clear in his voice, but a strain in the cords from exhaustion and pain.
“Will.” Hannibal said back equally as relieved. Coming over to his side and taking the free hand that didn’t have the bandaged shoulders.
Iris and her mates respectfully staying by the door but waving at Will who seemed surprised to see them. His partner and chief looking at the strange people Hannibal had brought him with frowns. Who could blame them? The gothic style clothing and sunglasses inside were an odd sight. Especially on such a hot day outside.
Will was also curious about the new guy that was with Iris and Aella. Another brother of Hannibal’s maybe?
“What happen?” Hannibal asked running a hand over Will‘s hair. The other man leaning into the touch.
“I got shot.” Will said simple and Hannibal gave him an exhausted look. This is so not the time to be joking.
“Local gas station robbery. Got out of hand, and this idiot decided to jump in front of a moving bullet.” Will’s partner said explaining the situation to Hannibal. Will giving him an unimpressed look.
“A bullet that was headed for your back. Giving up a shoulder is a much better option.” Will insisted stubbornly. Form the way his partner perused his lips they clearly disagreed on this. Hannibal has to say he agrees with Will’s partner for once.
“Okay, lets not do that again.” The chief said sensing an incoming resurgence of whatever fight the two had had before Hannibal got here.
“Let’s get out of here and leave Will to his guests. We got everything we need. Sorry for all of this Hannibal. Don’t you worry, well get the men responsible.” The chief said addressing Hannibal directly.
“The haven’t been arrested yet?” Hannibal said, his blank expression being taken as anger by the chief who looked guilty at the question.
“Not yet, but they can’t hide forever, have to come up for air eventually and when they do well be there.” He said with confidence again. Making an almost vow to the partner of one of his best officers. Hannibal just hummed. Mentally he could feel his sister, and likely her spouses, radiating the same emotions he was feeling himself at the words. Plans formulating through Hannibal’s mind unfiltered.
“Thank you.” Hannibal managed to say, exchanging his blank look for a wounded and grateful civilian. The Chief smiling at the change in demeanor. More determined than ever to get his man.
Hannibal had no intentions of letting the man get there first but the sentiment was nice.
Iris, Aella, and Niccolo gave unnerving goodbye smiles and waves to the chief and Will’s partner who returned it equally uncomfortable. Still not sure who these people were but not rude enough to just asks. Hannibal looked back at his sister and sent her an unspoken request for privacy.
Making an ‘Oh’ face she nodded and moved to close the door. While it was impossible to give true privacy being what they are, they could at least make Hannibal and Will feel better with the door shut. That and keep anyone else out until Hannibal gave the word. Hannibal thought only for a moment if that was worrying when he saw the way Niccolo positioned his large body over the small window on the door. He had no doubt in his mind that He, Iris, and Aella had taken up a proper guard of the door.
“Who’s that with Iris and Aella?” Will asked casually as Hannibal came over to sit at the chair by his bed side. Grabbing the remote to the bed to lower it properly so they could be face to face. While Hannibal saw the question for the obvious attempt at distraction that it was he answered anyways.
“Niccolo. Iris husband.” He said plainly and was unsurprised at the genuine confusion on Will’s face.
“I thought she and Aella were married?” He asked, wondering if he’d misunderstood or misheard that.
“They are. Iris is married to them both.” Hannibal said and Will raised both brows. Finding Hannibal’s sibling all the more confusing with their weird mix of liberal and seeming conservative lives.
“So, they’re all together?” Will asked for clarification. Hannibal still indulging him. Allowing this prelude before their real important conversation. After all this information may be very value in the future. May as well get Will use to the idea now if he was ever going to introduce him to more of his family.
“No, Aella and Niccolo are not together. They are more like siblings themselves and are both just married with Iris. They all live together and raise their kids together. Think of it as two marriages and families combined into one with Iris at the center.” Hannibal said and could see the gears turning in Will’s head wrapping his mind around all that would imply.
“If you hadn’t notice my family is rather well off.” Hannibal started and smiled at the snort of amusement Will got at the words.
“It allows them to easily take care of more then one family and openly. They are all rather happy and many of my siblings... most of them in fact have similar relationships and families.” Hannibal explained and Will looked a little taken aback at that.
“Would you want that one day?” He asked voice taking on a more serious note. Hannibal was unbothered.
“No, I’m content with giving my love to one person unlike them.” He said smiling and Will returned it back easily. Visibly relaxing at the reaffirming words. Glad to know he hadn’t wasted the last year on someone who would want too much for him give later.
Hannibal felt a teasing push against his mind at those words from his sister. Making it clear that Hannibal was the freak in this family for stopping at one not her. Hannibal would have laughed at the feeling if he was alone.
Instead, he stayed focus, reaching over to Will’s chart and while completely aware of the man’s eyes on him reading it and glaring his eyes at what he was seeing. Looking up at Will with a telling look.
“It says it just barely missed your heart. Had you not jumped in front the bullet and been hit while falling downward it would have.” Hannibal said. The simple stating of facts speaking volumes more then he could ever yell. Will giving a resigned sigh at that.
“Yeah.” He said with an alarming lack of regret on his face. Hannibal would never fully understand that lack of self-preservation.
“Will, I think we really need to this-”
“I’m retiring.” Will said, cutting him off and making Hannibal leaned back with a strange mix of shock and pleasure.
“Good.” He said with a small tilt of his head and no attempt at all to dissuade the thought. That was exactly where he was going with this.
“Not because you told me to or because I want to quit my job.” Will said, pettily. Hannibal didn’t mind. He can be as petty as he wanted to long as he quit this awful job.
“They say with the damage to my shoulder I may not be able to shoot properly again. Can’t exactly be on the force like that.” Will explained obviously upset at having the choice taken out of his hand.
Though if he was a being honest, also a little relieved. He won’t lie he’d been considering the job change from the moment that his partner had turned in his resignation. Will had silently decided that depending on who his new partner was, he would quit as well or not. He didn’t see himself doing this job anyways without someone he could properly work with and trust with his life. Not without working with someone he quiet literally, as proven today, would take a bullet for.
Hannibal moved over and took Will’s hand in his own. A small relieved smile in place and a clear reflection of the emotion in his eyes.
“Thank you.” Hannibal said, showing how much it actually meant to him Will was taking this seriously. Will relaxed and sighed at the sight of his genuine care. Not so upset when being reminded why Hannibal pushed so hard for him to quit. He did roll his eyes however, with a smile of his own.
“I’m still not quitting working or moving in yet. The day I do that it will be snowing in Hell.” Will said stubbornly just to see the smile pull further on Hannibal’s face. He eyes narrowing a little thoughtfully as he contemplated how possible that actually was.
Will must have noticed the look because he just started laughing. Regretting jostling his shoulder but unable to stop chuckling so he just held the arm in place. Hannibal joining him in their small moment and chuckling as well.
Hannibal looking at the beauty that was his joyful mate. The thought that he may have lost the ability to ever see this sight again sent a wave a panic through him that was almost crippling for a moment. He only just managed to keep it out his mental connection with his family. How cruel to make them endure such a feeling. He himself couldn’t ever imagine it. Though he did not know how, Hannibal was certain he’d spend the rest of his existence trying to follow Will into that unknown abyss if he ever lost him.
He can’t let him go. He knows that now. While before he was so content to just let things play out as they have, this moment has made him realize just how fragile Will really is. How forgetful he was of that. Seeing Will easily as equal, superior and different to the human he surrounds himself with and forgetting that at least physically Will is in fact the same as them. So very easy to break.
How unbearable a reality to acknowledge. Hannibal reached out and allowed a flicker of teary eyes as he raised a hand to Will face and cradled it. His smile more pained then relieved at the urgency he was feeling at seeing Will like this. His fang fighting to leave his gum and pass his lips. Hannibal had to consciously think to stop them probing, from leaning over and taking Will next into his mouth, to stop himself from injecting his venom.
He has to do it. He can’t wait any longer. Putting this off any further would be a mistake. Hannibal was certain of that now. Every time Will out that door he was at risk like this. Every moment that ticked by put him closer to death. Hannibal can’t allow that. So he has decided, once Will is out of this dreadful place he will tell him. He will finally tell him.
...and ask Will to be his forever.
Will with an understanding and worried look of his own (directed at Hannibal if you could believe it) reached up and held the hand that rested on the side of his face. Leaning into the touch with a tilt of his head and forcing Hannibal’s fingers over his pulse. Showing the man he was alive and well. It helped to calm him more than he expected. Hannibal leaned forward and gave him a sweet kiss in thanks. Lingering with their lips together.
Both only being interrupted and pulled form their moment at the sound of a thump at the door.
Hannibal kind of already getting a idea of what’s happening when he tuned back into the mental link, felt his lips twitch up again as he moved over to the door. Will watching curiously as well as he opened it to see Niccolo, arms and legs spread wide and across the door with a determined glare on his face that his mate and sister-mate shared. Aella having hissed at the Doctor before them both, arms stretched out blocking the way to Niccolo himself. The both of them being a distraction as his sister Iris was creeping up behind the frustrated man posed to pounce on him. Fully prepared to drain him dry right here in the hallway if he dared to approached and injured member of their family while his mate comforted him.
Hannibal smiled fondly at the sight of them all. Looking back to see Will confused and oddly amused look. The man not fully understanding what Iris intended to do, expecting her to tackle his doctor.
“That’s enough sisters, brother.” Hannibal said affectionately. Finally getting the far too serious members of his family attention.
“There’s no need for that Iris.” Hannibal added, snapping her out of her predator mindset with the call of her name directly. The doctor jumping when he finally noticed her behind him. Iris glaring at him as she walked pass to her mates and Hannibal.
“We didn’t let anyone through.” She said with a proud huff and aggressive look on all their faces directed at the doctor, who they deemed a nuance to their duties.
“Thank you for affording us that privacy but this is the healer who’s come to treat Will.” Hannibal said and watched as they visibly relaxed.
“Well, I guess you can come through.” Iris huffed, her mates finally moving form blocking the door and off to the side at her left and right as she moved. Going from aggressive to haughty in a second. They were an isolated sort and as such tended to be snottier to humans they didn’t expect to join their family any time soon. Could they be blamed really? They had no relations to human’s outside of considering them food.
Would you act any differently to a talking chicken nugget?
“Hello, Iris, Aella.” Will said leaning to the side to better see them with a greeting smile. Iris perking up at being addressed by him and pushing her way in. Her mates trailing after her as she came to his other side.
“It’s so nice to see you again. Not like this of course, but your still lovely even in bandages and you smell divine.” Iris said, leaning forward and taking a whiff as the blood permeating through the room.
Hannibal was glad Will didn’t question the strange compliment and just smiled amused at her strange antics. Taking it as a weird part of the Victorian gothic thing she had going on with her spouses.
“Thank you.” He said simply.
“Hi Will.” Aella said coming over and taking his hand easily giving comfort absent mindedly.
“Hello, I’m Niccolo.” Niccolo introduced himself. Easily and Will nodded with his own greeting expression. Once again trying hard to make a good first impression.
“It’s nice to meet you.” He said.
“I’m sorry to interrupt Mr. Grahan, but it’s already been about ten minutes of me trying to get in the room.” The Doctor said. Feeling bad about rushing them but really the man had other patients to see as well. Will smiled amused.
“Sorry doctor.” he said politely on their behalf. Something told him they wouldn’t be apologizing themselves. The doctor just sighed and moved on, walking pass Hannibal to get over to Will’s side.
“I’ll need to ask the rest of you to leave now. Visiting hours are nearing their end and Mr. Grahan is a high security patient.” The doctor said and Iris looked ready to argue before Hannibal stepped up. No need to make the man taking care of his mate’s job harder. He took Will’s hand and placed a kiss on it in goodbye.
“I’ll be back first thing tomorrow morning. Do you need me to bring you anything?” He asked. Will sighed and shook his head.
“No, but you could swing by and feed the dogs.” He said and Hannibal nodded. Already planning the perfect meal. Will doesn’t like it when he spoils them too much but if they missed Will half as much as he would while he stayed here, they deserved a little luxury.
“I can do that.” Hannibal agreed and they shared one final kiss. Iris and her mates exchanging goodbyes with promises to visit again.
While Hannibal was sad to leave his side he knew he had urgent things to get done tonight.
.
.
.
“You didn’t have to come you know.” Hannibal said not unkindly as they stood on the roof top of the police station. Looking down at the humans walking in below. Their little bodies looking almost like ants form this height.
A snort heard from Niccolo to his left.
“Please, Big Brother, as if we’d let someone hurt one of our own without getting involved. We’re here now, and this is family business now.” Iris said and responding hums of agreement came from the other two vampires on her side.
Hannibal would roll his eyes if he wasn’t so touched by the sentiment. A fluttering happiness in his gut at his family’s already easy acceptance of Will as his mate. While he’d planned on getting revenge on his own tonight, he has to say it felt good to have them at his side.
Not to mention he felt further at ease knowing his little sister had even sent in her Liberi to hang around the hospital that Will as staying in tonight to guard him secretly. One of the older looking ones, even posing as a nurse to look in on his records easier. Hannibal had full faith that not so much as a stray sick patient would be threatening Will’s peace tonight. Those loyal nieces and nephews of his would sooner see someone drained of every drop of blood in their body.
“They are below?” Aella asked and Hannibal nodded.
He had to hand it to Will’s coworkers. When they promised to get the man who did this to Will, they really meant it. Making good on that promise in the mere hours he’d been with his mate. Hannibal was in a weird state of appreciation and annoyance at having the man behind bars. It made it all the harder to get to him but assured him that Will had people who truly returned the level of care he delt out.
“How do you want to play this?” Iris asked, obviously letting him take in the revenge.
“Aella, what was your special skill again?” Hannibal asked knowingly and with a growing smile as he looked at the others. Their fanged teeth coming out at the coming hunt.
Arch Type vampires were obviously gifted with a host of powers that they indulged in easily on instinct. Supreme’s also had access to these powers but had to put in the effort to actually learn them. Taking great time and energy. Because of that, they tended to only really master a couple. Five being the most Hannibal’s ever seen. Aella’s well-trained skill was perfect for such a situation.
She gave another fanged grin before moving over to the vent system on the roof. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath as they watched. Concentrating until her body began to smoke and cloud until she was nothing but pure vapor. They watched as she sunk into the vents.
While they could not see the fall out they easily heard the shouts of alarm as she filled the building below. Urgent calls and rushing out people. Gas masks being called for and bodies dropping to the ground as she filled their lungs and put them to sleep. Hannibal was thankful she had the sense not to choke and kill them but rather sedate them. She did the same with the vile creature that dared harm one of their own.
Once she was done, returning easily from the vent she’d entered from and reforming with gasps on her own foggy self-reforming. Iris giving a proud giggle at the fairly advanced and difficult skill her love had mastered.
“Someone managed to alert for help, I think. It seems we have about ten minutes.” She said.
“More than enough time.” Niccolo said, gladly stepping up for his turn. Turning his claws into hardened metal and shaping and easy hole in the ground. Hannibal giving his sister an impressed look and hum at the ease Niccolo changed to make up of his body. He was rather young for a vampire to be able to learn that already. Hannibal thinks in a few short decades he’ll have no trouble transfiguring his entire body.
Niccolo perfectly positioned the hole above the cell they knew the man to be in. Grabbing the cement before it could drop and hefting it up and on the roof. Thankful that Aella had thought to snuff out the cameras as well.
“Oh, let me do this part.” Iris said happily, a growling natural growl in her voice as she allowed a greater change to take her over. Her mouth splitting further then looked natural. Teeth extending longer than even her mates, her eyes darkening fully and wings growing out from her arms that grew claws. Her legs most importantly becoming hairy and hind. Long talons at the ends that she used to swoop down and nap the human trash from the cell. Pulling him out and to the roof. Not bothering to continue further in her transformation as it was unneeded. Dropping him with little care to the concrete they stood on. The man not even flitching in his current state.
“Niccolo.” She rumbled out with a request in her frightening tone.
Niccolo easily knowing what she was asking moved the slab of ceiling back and concentrated on repairing it. While Hannibal or Iris could have done so easily, it was best to allow him the practice. He did so with great success.
Leaving no trace they were ever there.
.
.
.
“Wha-!”
The vermin gasps as he finally woke from his restless slumber. Around him was nothing he could visibly see. All he knew was from the echo of his voice, the floor beneath him and the single spot light above him he was likely in a warehouse. A disorientating place to wake when one fell asleep in a prison cell. He looked uncomfortably around.
His unease causing a giggle from an excited Aella.
“Who’s there!?” He demanded flinching at the sound. He turned so easily to her without seeing that Aella moved around and away from his face, still giggling. Niccolo joining in, her mirth making Iris happy and in turn him.
It was contagious, before long they were all chuckling and giggling. Rumbling lowly, as their fully changed features forced their vocal cords into something less human. The growing smell of fear rose as the man stood and turned rapidly at the laughter around him. It was delectable.
“...Just a taste...” Aella was heard saying between giggles.
“Who are you!” The man demanded again. No longer a question. Thinking the could intimidate whoever was out there into showing themselves.
A scream of pain and shock leaving him as something wiped past him. Gripping his arm and falling to the ground as he saw blood from a large gash on it. Off in the dark a black-eyed Aella was licking her claws. A resounding hum was all her mates need to go in for their own taste.
Niccolo swooping in for a the leg. Practically gliding across the floor. Making him drop to one knee again. Only for Iris to swoop in from the rafter at Hannibal's side and use her talons. He giggles and chuckles from them becoming real laughter. The kind that one might associate with a family talking and eating around a dinner table.
The man turned this way and that rapidly. Eyes wide and growing tears of pain and terror. Backing away and around as Niccolo and Aella began to circle him more closely. Allowing their distorted forms to show in the light for just brief moments. Slowing enough so that he might dare to glimpse them at their most beautiful. Smiling fanged mouth, ashen skin showing dark veins pumping with their venom, black-eyed, claws dripping with the red sustenance they called food.
Hannibal just watched amused.
“Please...” the man muttered shaking now. While Hannibal wanted to indulge more. To enjoy this playing with their food he just couldn’t resist. He just couldn't let this dreadful thing take another breath after trying to steal his mates. It was a miracle he’d lived this long. Hannibal had no intention of letting him bleed out before he could seek his own revenge.
Piercing eyes open and hyper forced Hannibal allowed himself to move. A loud flapping being heard as he unstretched from the wings wrapped around him. His full glory being seen from the moon that was finally allowed to show after he moved from the large window he blocked. Iris guarding the other and watching patiently, unseen, in her own true form.
Niccolo and Aella finally stopped dancing around him. Smiling self-satisfied in the state they’d left the man. Taking in the greatness of the moon above them and turning their backs to it and Hannibal’s most beautiful self. There parallel bodies making almost a path for him and their terrifying forms destroying any hope of the man of running past them and getting to the front of back door he could now see.
He fell to his knees once again. The third time in a row, how dramatic, Hannibal thought as he unfolded himself. The solid thud as he landed on the ground echoing all the louder in the empty warehouse. The clanking of his talons dragging across the ground. So sharp that they unintentionally clawed marks in the concrete with each step. Towering over both Aella and Niccolo as he got closer. Their side by side making it all the more obvious just what a massive beast he was like this.
As he walked further up to the frozen in shock human who shook with each panty breath he took, Hannibal felt a lack of satisfaction at the fear. It wasn’t enough. So long as those breathes continued, it wasn’t enough. Hannibal reached out with a clawed hand, uncaring as it poked tore into the side of the man’s head for the pure length when Hannibal lifted him by his neck. The squirming bleeding human gripping onto him and seemingly conflicted form wanting to get free and fearing the height Hannibal would drop him from erasing him so high. Can’t exactly run with a broken ankle.
“W-why?” the scum asked him shaking in his clawed hand. Eyes being forced open from the force Hannibal holding him. Hannibal didn’t dignify him with a response.
He doesn’t waste words.