Chapter Text 章节正文
Will wakes early the next morning, muffling a groan in his pillow. He may have drank more brandy on returning home. He may have finished a bottle. He hadn't intended to, especially not on top of what Hannibal had served him. It had just suddenly felt incredibly necessary. His mind is still whirling.
第二天清晨威尔早早醒来，把呻吟声闷在枕头里。回家后他可能又喝了更多白兰地。可能喝完了一整瓶。他本没打算这样，尤其是在汉尼拔已经招待过他的情况下。但那一刻突然觉得非喝不可。他的思绪仍在天旋地转。
He thinks of Lecter; of dinner. He'd come away with the sinking sensation he'd momentarily thought it was something it wasn't. It couldn't be. It's not possible. Not likely, after his performance. He has an effortless talent for self- sabotage.
他想起了莱克特，想起那顿晚餐。离开时他带着一种沉沦的错觉，仿佛自己曾短暂地误解了某些事。不可能。绝对不可能。特别是在他那番表现之后。他总有种自我毁灭的天赋，信手拈来。
He thrashes a bit at the thought, rubbing his face into his pillow. Doctor Lecter's face, thinly veiled concern, swims in his vision again. Maybe he should have just been rude after all. He groans again. He needs to thank Doctor Lecter somehow. And apologize. Again.
这个念头让他烦躁地在床上翻腾，把脸埋进枕头。莱克特医生那张带着薄薄关切的面孔又浮现在眼前。也许当初就该直接失礼到底。他又呻吟了一声。他得想办法感谢莱克特医生。还得道歉。又一次。
He looks at the time and groans once more. He'd be at work. Will should be at work, too, though his absence won't be a source of concern, given the late nights he's been putting in. He sits up, grimacing, and goes to get showered. It might make him feel less like death. It might not.
他看了眼时间，再次发出哀鸣。这个点对方肯定在上班。威尔也该去上班了，不过鉴于他最近总是熬夜，缺席也不会引起注意。他龇牙咧嘴地坐起身，准备冲个澡。或许能让他感觉不那么像具行尸走肉。也可能毫无帮助。
When he's washed and dressed, he picks up the phone, pulling a face at the floor as he dials Doctor Lecter's number. Hannibal's number. He needs to pick up his car. He's not really expecting him to be in. Which is why he pinches the bridge of his nose when the call connects.
洗漱穿戴完毕，他拿起电话，一边拨着莱克特医生的号码——汉尼拔的号码——一边对着地板做了个鬼脸。他得去取车。其实并没指望对方会接听，所以当电话接通时，他捏了捏自己的鼻梁。
"Doctor Lecter, it's Will, I'm just - I'll be by for my car soon. I wanted to - thank you, for calling me a cab."
"莱克特医生，我是威尔，我——我待会儿来取车。我想——谢谢你帮我叫了出租车。"
"Will." Hannibal sounds faintly surprised. "It's not a problem."
"威尔。"汉尼拔的声音带着些许惊讶，"举手之劳。"
Will finds himself pleased to hear his voice. "I just wanted to let you know. That I - um." He stutters, brain grinding. When the silence lingers, Hannibal intervenes.
威尔发现自己听到他的声音竟有些雀跃。"我就是想告诉你一声。那个我——呃。"他结巴起来，大脑突然卡壳。当沉默蔓延时，汉尼拔适时解围。
"Would you like to come for breakfast?"
"要来吃早餐吗？"
"Hannibal," he pleads, almost aghast at his own transparency.
"汉尼拔，"他近乎惊惶地恳求道，对自己的坦率感到震惊。
"Will. I sense that you would like to talk, and ironically, phones are not always the best medium for that."
"威尔。我感觉你想谈谈，讽刺的是，电话往往不是最佳媒介。"
Does Will want to talk? He's feeling rather more like dying. "I'm hung over," he says, apologetically, "not sure how articulate I'll be."
威尔想谈吗？他现在更想死。"我宿醉未醒，"他带着歉意说道，"不确定能说得多清楚。"
"You're welcome regardless."
"无论如何都欢迎你。"
Will hesitates, a rain check on the tip of his tongue. Something stops him. "Do you... want me to?"
威尔犹豫着，一句改日再约的话已到嘴边。有什么阻止了他。"你...希望我来吗？"
"I wanted to ask you to stay last night."
"昨晚我想开口挽留你。"
Will's breath jams in his throat like a bullet halfway down a barrel. He feels for the handle of the medicine cabinet door in the bathroom, looking for aspirin. "I think I would have wanted to."
威尔的呼吸卡在喉咙里，如同卡在枪管中的子弹。他摸索着浴室药柜的门把手，寻找阿司匹林。"我想我本该愿意的。"
"That does not mean you would have agreed to," Hannibal points out.
"这并不意味着你会同意，"汉尼拔指出。
"In addition to knowing other people well, I know when I shouldn't be around them."
"除了了解他人，我也清楚何时不该出现在他们身边。"
"Will - come for breakfast now," Hannibal says quietly.
"威尔——现在来吃早餐吧，"汉尼拔轻声说道。
Will looks at himself in the cabinet mirror of the bathroom. His own expression is foreign to him. "All right. I won't be long."
威尔望着浴室橱柜镜中的自己。他认不出自己的表情。"好的。我马上就来。"
He grabs his work bag and gets on the streetcar. He tries not to think of the plain authority in Hannibal's voice. It's difficult to ignore it, or how it made him feel. He's determined not to dignify the adolescent, shrieking question he keeps asking himself with an answer. He already knows himself; understands himself- theoretically. In practice, it seems flimsy and two-dimensional. He has no idea how he'll make it through a work day after breakfast with the doctor and his twisting conversation. He wonders if he's considering a sick day over a - a what? A crush? A fascination? A loss of balance. He needs his equilibrium back. Maybe work is the best thing for that.
他抓起工作包登上电车，竭力不去回想汉尼拔话语中那种不容置疑的威严。这很难忽视，更难忽视的是那种语气在他心中激起的波澜。他决心不给内心那个尖叫着的幼稚问题任何回应——尽管那个问题不断自我诘问。他本以为自己足够了解自己，理论上确实如此。但现实中，这种认知却显得单薄而平面化。与医生共进早餐后，面对那些迂回曲折的对话，他不知该如何熬过整个工作日。他甚至考虑要不要请病假——就因为什么？一场悸动？一种迷恋？还是突然失衡的心绪？他需要重拾镇定。或许埋头工作才是最好的解药。
First, though, breakfast. He gets off the streetcar and walks toward Hannibal's tasteful Victorian revival house, the feeling of a million crawling insects buzzing in his stomach. He should have poured himself a shot of whiskey instead of just taking aspirin. He wonders, as he makes his way up the path to knock on Hannibal's door, what the doctor would make of him asking for a liquid breakfast. He'd possibly just look at Will with that hint of clinical curiosity.
不过首先，早餐还是要吃的。他下了有轨电车，朝汉尼拔那座品味高雅的维多利亚复兴风格宅邸走去，胃里仿佛有百万只虫蚁在爬行翻搅。他真该给自己倒杯威士忌，而不是只吞了片阿司匹林。当沿着小径走向汉尼拔家敲门时，他不禁思忖，如果向医生讨要一杯液体早餐，对方会作何反应。汉尼拔大概只会用那种带着临床探究意味的眼神打量他吧。
He's not wearing that one when he opens the door. Instead, he gives Will a smile. "You're quite prompt. I have some lovely mushrooms sautéing right now for a frittata."
他开门时并未穿着那件衣服，而是对威尔露出微笑。"你来得真准时。我正在用一些美味的蘑菇做煎蛋卷。"
"Sounds good." Will says, following Hannibal into the kitchen, bright with honeyed morning light. There's also coffee brewing, a single cup already sitting by the stovetop. He pours Will some and offers him its twin, the sunlight making his eyes golden and his pupils pinpricks of black.
"听起来不错。"威尔说着，跟随汉尼拔走进厨房，晨光如蜜般倾泻满室。咖啡机正咕嘟作响，炉灶旁已摆好一只孤零零的杯子。汉尼拔为他斟满咖啡，又递来另一杯相同的，阳光将他眼眸染成鎏金色，瞳孔收缩成针尖大小的墨点。
“Thank you, Doctor.” “谢谢您，医生。”
"Thank you for stopping by. I'm glad you called."
"感谢你的来访。很高兴你打了电话。"
"Are you really?" "真的吗？"
"Indescribably. I felt last night that I had pushed you too far."
"难以言表。昨晚我感觉自己把你逼得太紧了。"
"I don't think you had much to do with it. I can push myself too far, even on a good day."
"我认为这与你关系不大。即便在状态好的时候，我也常常把自己逼到极限。"
"If only it were so simple to unburden ourselves." Hannibal murmurs, turning to the stove to tend to the mushrooms.
"若卸下重担能如此简单就好了。"汉尼拔低语着，转身照料炉灶上的蘑菇。
"But it isn't." Will sips his coffee and has to hold back a noise of sheer appreciation.
"但事实并非如此。"威尔啜饮着他的咖啡，不得不强忍住一声由衷的赞叹。
"It might be easier than we thought. I'm told these things are easier with friends."
"可能比我们想象的要简单。听说有朋友帮忙会更容易些。"
"You keep saying that," Will mutters. "I can't imagine why you want -"
"你一直这么说，"威尔低声嘟囔。"我真不明白你为什么想要——"
"You can imagine." Hannibal interrupts, albeit gently.
"你可以想象。"汉尼拔打断道，语气却依然温和。
"I don't know if I should."
"我不知道该不该这么做。"
"Who would know? You're alone in your mind, are you not?"
"谁会知道呢？你的思想里只有你自己，不是吗？"
Sometimes Will isn't sure. Hannibal looks at him over his shoulder as he whisks eggs. He is more patient than Will feels he deserves.
有时威尔并不确定。汉尼拔在搅拌蛋液时回头看他，那份耐心远超威尔觉得自己配得上的程度。
"Someone might find out," he whispers.
"会有人发现的，"他低语道。
"Who? And what?" “谁？什么？”
Will doesn't have an answer. He sips his coffee. He watches Hannibal as he pours eggs into the skillet of mushrooms and herbs and rosy, translucent pancetta.
威尔没有回答。他啜饮着咖啡，目光追随着汉尼拔将蛋液倒入盛满蘑菇、香草和粉红透亮意式培根的煎锅。
"Do you eat like this every morning?" he asks, eventually.
"你每天早上都这样吃饭吗？"他终于开口问道。
"No. My rotations at the hospital can vary. But... often."
"不。我在医院的轮班时间不固定。但...经常。"
Will tries to see a version of Hannibal that does this for other people often. He can see it, but it's someone different than the Hannibal he can see in front of him now, plain as day. Like a china mask he could put on if he chose. "It suits you," he murmurs.
威尔试图想象一个经常为其他人做这些事的汉尼拔版本。他能想象出来，但那与他眼前这个清晰可见的汉尼拔判若两人。就像一具随时可以戴上的瓷面具。"很适合你，"他轻声说道。
"I can't think what you mean, Will, but I do appreciate the compliment."
"我想不出你指的是什么，威尔，但我确实很感激这份赞美。"
"The life, I think. The prestige."
"我想是生活本身。还有那份声望。"
A smile touches Hannibal's lips, faint and fleeting. He lowers the heat on the stove, getting plates out, garnishing them with fruit and fresh toasted rye. Will takes the plates to the table when Hannibal nods. He follows with the skillet, serving Will frittata before he sits down with his own.
汉尼拔的唇角掠过一丝若有若无的笑意。他将炉火调小，取出餐盘，用水果和新鲜烤制的黑麦面包装饰。威尔在汉尼拔点头示意后接过餐盘摆上餐桌。汉尼拔随后端着煎锅走来，为威尔盛好菜肉蛋饼后才落座享用自己那份。
"Prestige is an odd term to use," he comments, eventually, "it implies a sort of renowned admiration."
"声望是个奇怪的词，"他最终评论道，"它暗含某种广受赞誉的仰慕之意。"
Will looks at him evenly. "I've never met a surgeon who didn't either have it, or want it."
威尔平静地看着他。"我从没见过哪个外科医生不是已经拥有它，就是渴望得到它。"
"I don't want it," Hannibal murmurs, cutting delicately into his breakfast.
"我不想要，"汉尼拔轻声说道，优雅地切着他的早餐。
Will doesn't believe him. "Not from everyone," he guesses. Then he's forced to stop talking by sheer enjoyment of his food. He can feel Hannibal watching him, probably deciding how best to verbally stick him next. He'd almost rather he just use the pretty silver fork in his hand. Hannibal said he wanted him here, he reminds himself.
威尔并不相信他的话。"不是所有人都这样吧，"他猜测道。随后，纯粹出于对食物的享受，他不得不停止交谈。他能感觉到汉尼拔正注视着他，很可能在盘算接下来如何用言语刺痛他。他几乎宁愿对方直接用手上那把精致的银叉子。汉尼拔说过希望他在这里的，他提醒自己。
"I prefer authenticity," he says eventually, "from those I view as peers."
"我更看重真实，"他最终说道，"尤其是那些我视为同侪之人。"
"I understand." “我明白了。”
Now it's Hannibal's turn to look disbelieving. It's not accusatory, more dubious. Will sips his coffee and lets him formulate whatever he wants to say. He's not sure they haven't been arguing around the same thing as last night, just with different words.
轮到汉尼拔露出难以置信的表情了。那并非指责，更多是怀疑。威尔啜饮着咖啡，任由对方组织语言。他不确定他们是否仍在为昨晚同样的事情争执，只是换了一套说辞。
"Will," Hannibal says eventually, "in the interest of whatever subject we are avoiding and not avoiding now, I want to try to make some things clear. May I do that?"
"威尔，"汉尼拔最终开口，"鉴于我们此刻既在回避又未曾回避的话题，我想试着澄清一些事情。可以吗？"
"Please." “求你了。”
Hannibal chews, swallows, and then sips his coffee before he goes on. "I find myself out of my depth with you, which is not a feeling I am accustomed to. I often have dinner parties, but seldom dinner with friends, and seldom with friends who are as singularly fascinating as you are. I very much like having you here, and I am not at all concerned about either of our motives. No need for either of us to be so suspicious of finding pleasure in one another's company, I think." He meets Will's eyes steadily. "Do you agree?"
汉尼拔咀嚼、吞咽，随后啜饮了一口咖啡才继续道："与你相处时，我发现自己竟有些力不从心，这种感觉于我实属罕见。我常设宴待客，却鲜少与友人共进晚餐，更难得遇到像你这般独特迷人的人物。我非常享受你的陪伴，对你我的动机都毫无顾虑。我想，我们实在不必对彼此相伴的欢愉心存戒备。"他目光沉稳地迎上威尔的眼睛："你觉得呢？"
Will does, but the simple earnestness in Hannibal's voice and eyes feels like blinding light. It takes him a moment to become accustomed to the brightness.
威尔确实这么做了，但汉尼拔声音和眼神中那份纯粹的诚挚，却如刺目强光般令他难以直视。他需要片刻才能适应这份耀眼的光亮。
"Yes." He rubs his neck for a moment, sighing. "It's what I wanted to say, today. If I could have managed it."
“是的。”他揉了揉脖子，轻叹一声。“这就是我今天想说的话。如果我能说出口的话。”
He's rewarded with a warm smile. Hannibal leans toward him, almost conspiring. "You did the majority of the footwork."
他得到了一个温暖的微笑作为回报。汉尼拔向他倾身，近乎密谋般低语："大部分跑腿工作都是你完成的。"
Will shrugs, face feeling hot. "I needed to get my car," he points out.
威尔耸耸肩，脸颊发烫。"我得去取车，"他解释道。
"Yes," Hannibal agrees. "But you stayed."
“是的，”汉尼拔表示赞同。“但你留下来了。”
"Well, you did promise me breakfast."
"你确实答应过要请我吃早餐。"
Hannibal smiles. "Just so."
汉尼拔微微一笑。"正是如此。"
"It's just... unnaturally good," Will mutters, "people shouldn't be able to do this with eggs and ham." Hannibal looks amused, but doesn't comment. Will sighs into his coffee in content. "It will be difficult to go to work after this."
"这简直...好得不自然，"威尔低声嘟囔，"没人该能把鸡蛋和火腿做到这种程度。"汉尼拔露出饶有兴趣的表情，但未作评论。威尔满足地对着咖啡叹了口气。"吃完这顿再去上班可太难了。"
"I'm inclined to agree." "我倾向于同意。"
Their eyes meet briefly, and Will looks away, down at the table. Too much. Hannibal telegraphs openness all too well. It feels nearly calculated, like it's something he's had to practice. Recognizing more of his own traits in him, Will feels a bolt of certainty: Hannibal's behavior is all the result of close study. It makes Will wonder, when those flashes of reality come through, what they're concealing beneath.
他们的目光短暂交汇，威尔随即垂下眼帘望向桌面。太过了。汉尼拔将坦诚演绎得淋漓尽致，几乎像是精心计算过的表演，仿佛这是他必须练习的技巧。威尔在对方身上辨认出越来越多与自己相似的特质，突然涌起一阵确信：汉尼拔的举止全是近距离观察的结果。这让他不禁思索，当那些真实瞬间闪现时，底下究竟隐藏着什么。
It's not his business, not at all. He has no idea where Hannibal came from or what he's experienced. It had seemed to be the only thing he didn't want to tell him last night. Will can force himself not to mind, but it's almost entirely against his nature. He can wait, though. He's good at that.
这不关他的事，一点关系都没有。他既不知道汉尼拔从何而来，也不了解他经历过什么。昨晚那似乎是对方唯一不愿透露的事。威尔可以强迫自己不去在意，但这几乎完全违背了他的本性。不过他可以等——他向来擅长等待。
They finish breakfast, and Hannibal lets Will wash up again while he tidies away the leftovers. Then, he fills a stainless steel thermos with more coffee and presents it to Will once he's hung up the dish towel.
他们吃完早餐，汉尼拔让威尔再去洗漱，自己则收拾剩菜。接着，他往不锈钢保温杯里又倒了些咖啡，等威尔挂好洗碗巾后递给了他。
"To get you through the day," he offers, at Will's styptic silence.
"帮你熬过这一天，"他在威尔沉默如止血剂般的气氛中提议道。
Will wants to laugh, but he takes it regardless. "Thank you," he huffs, leaning his hip on the counter as he turns the flask in his hands. "I'll uh, be sure to wash it before I bring it back."
威尔想笑，但还是接过了酒壶。"谢了，"他轻哼一声，手肘支在柜台上把玩着金属瓶身，"呃...还你之前我会洗干净。"
"That I can believe. Shall I walk you out?"
"这我倒是信。要我送你出去吗？"
Will's ears turn red again. "You don't have to do that."
威尔的耳朵又红了。"你不必这样。"
"No," Hannibal agrees evenly. "I want to, though."
“不，”汉尼拔平静地附和道，“但我确实想这么做。”
Will sees absolutely no reason to protest. Not again. "All right." He lets Hannibal trail him outside, their shoulders bumping a couple of times as they walk.
威尔觉得完全没有抗议的必要。不会再有了。"好吧。"他任由汉尼拔跟在他身后走出门外，两人并肩而行时肩膀轻轻碰撞了几次。
Hannibal opens the front gate for him, pausing just inside. "Take care. I hope to see you soon."
汉尼拔为他打开前门，在门内稍作停留。"保重。希望能很快再见到你。"
"Thank you for breakfast," Will hovers, smiling at his hands. "Try not to fight any thugs at work today, okay?"
“谢谢你的早餐，”威尔局促地站着，低头对手指微笑，“今天上班可别跟混混打架，好吗？”
"If I must," Hannibal says solemnly, "I shall at least attempt to win."
"若必须如此，"汉尼拔肃然道，"我至少会竭力取胜。"
"I'm sure you will." Will makes himself take those first steps back. It will be easier after that, he reasons. But the fragrance of the coffee follows him down the sidewalk and into his car, like Hannibal himself is trailing behind. He looks, and Hannibal is still watching him as he pulls away. Will raises his hand in a wave, and wonders what just happened. It's something. He knows that much.
"我相信你会的。"威尔强迫自己迈出后退的第一步。他告诉自己，之后会容易些。但咖啡的香气却尾随他穿过人行道，钻进车里，仿佛汉尼拔本人正紧随其后。他回头望去，汉尼拔仍站在原地目送他驶离。威尔抬手挥了挥，心中疑惑方才究竟发生了什么。那绝非寻常。至少这点他很确定。
He tries not to analyze it too much. That, again, is against his nature.
他竭力不去过多分析。这又一次违背了他的本性。
*
By the time he gets to the precinct, he's managed to put it away, more or less. Work always takes over in the end. Beverly is waiting for him when he gets to his desk. He immediately takes her plastic cafeteria coffee away and hands her Hannibal's. "Try this instead."
当他抵达警局时，已大致将那些思绪封存起来。工作终究会占据上风。贝弗莉正守在他的办公桌前等候。他二话不说夺过她手中的塑料杯装食堂咖啡，递上汉尼拔那杯。"尝尝这个。"
"I'm going to ignore the fact that this is half-gone because it smells amazing."
"我决定忽略这已经少了一半的事实，因为它闻起来太香了。"
"You won't regret it." He sits down and picks up his message slips, flipping through them. "You don't usually come visit me, Beverly."
"你不会后悔的。"他坐下身，翻看着留言便签。"你平时可不常来看我，贝弗莉。"
She makes a thoughtful face. "Why is that? Oh wait, is it because we usually don't work cases together?" She sips the gifted coffee. "Or do you mean because you're the most impatient person I've ever worked with?"
她露出若有所思的表情。"为什么呢？等等，是因为我们通常不一起办案吗？"她啜饮着那杯被赠予的咖啡。"还是说，因为你是我共事过最没耐心的人？"
"Jesus, just spit it out," he snorts.
"老天，有话直说，"他嗤之以鼻道。
"We recovered a firearm at one of Chargois' apartments. Testing shows a ballistic match to Delaney's slug. We've got him, Will."
"我们在夏古瓦的一处公寓找到了枪械。弹道检测显示与德莱尼体内的弹头匹配。我们抓住他了，威尔。"
"That's great." He smiles. "Good solve, Detective."
"太好了。"他微笑道，"破案漂亮，警探。"
"Of course, the positive ID's also helped."
"当然，那些确认身份的证物也帮了大忙。"
Will shakes his head. "This way they won't have to testify."
威尔摇摇头。"这样他们就不用出庭作证了。"
"Exactly. Hey, where is this coffee even from?"
"没错。嘿，这咖啡到底是哪来的？"
"A friend," Will says. "一个朋友给的，"威尔说。
"A friend sent you out this morning with a thermos of coffee?" She raises an eyebrow.
"今早有个朋友给你送了保温杯装的咖啡？"她挑起眉毛问道。
"They invited me over for breakfast," Will says, giving her an eyebrow of his own.
"他们邀请我去吃早餐，"威尔说着，冲她挑了挑眉。
"'They', very cosmopolitan, Detective Graham."
"'他们'，真够国际化的嘛，格雷厄姆警探。"
"He is thoughtful," Will repeats, with the barest emphasis.
"他很体贴，"威尔重复道，语气里带着微妙的强调。
Beverly's mouth opens, but Will thinks her surprise is more at him bending than at his casual admittance. There's nothing to admit, surely. Then she smiles. "I'm gonna leave you alone to deal with those messages, Will. But I'll see you around."
贝弗利张了张嘴，但威尔觉得她的惊讶更多是因为他的妥协，而非他随口的承认。这没什么好承认的，当然。随后她笑了。"我就不打扰你处理那些留言了，威尔。回头见。"
"Thanks," he snags the coffee back from her.
“谢了，”他从她手里把咖啡夺了回来。
She smirks. "Better get that refilled."
她嘴角一扬："最好赶紧续上。"
"I'll ask him to make two next time."
"下次我会让他做两个。"
"Oh," she says over her shoulder as she leaves, "next time!"
"哦，"她转身离开时说道，"下次吧！"
He sputters a bit, turning back to his desk to curse while he goes through his messages. There's always another case starting, or finishing, or continuing.
他有些气急败坏地转回办公桌，一边翻看消息一边咒骂。总有新案子要开始，或结束，或继续。
*
He dives back into it, and for a couple of days, lapses back into his usual routine: go to work, go home sixteen hours later, have as many drinks as hours he wants to sleep, rinse and repeat.
他再次沉溺其中，连续数日重蹈覆辙：上班十六小时后回家，喝下与渴望睡眠时间等量的酒，周而复始。
A few towns over, another floater is discovered half eaten by wildlife, and Will spends a full day in waders with local cops, sifting through stagnant waters in the bayou until he finds a human head and a ribcage, both stripped of flesh. He delicately holds the head up for a moment in his gloved hands, grizzled and grey in the sunlight, eyes and lips and cheeks long since eaten by fish. He’s swamped briefly by the thought of lying at the bottom of the lake, gazing up at the rippling surface world, waiting to be pulled out of the silt. Shuddering at the thought, he counts the teeth, and then signals his find.
几座小镇之外，又有一具被野生动物啃噬过的浮尸被发现。威尔穿着防水裤与当地警员在沼泽的滞水中打捞了整整一天，最终寻获一颗人类头颅与一副肋骨架，皮肉皆已荡然无存。他戴着橡胶手套小心翼翼地托起那颗头颅，在阳光下它呈现出灰白的斑驳色泽，眼睑、嘴唇与面颊早已成为鱼群的腹中餐。刹那间他恍惚看见自己沉在湖底，凝望着水波荡漾的尘世倒影，静待有人将他从淤泥中打捞而起。这个念头让他打了个寒颤，他数了数牙齿的数量，随后示意众人发现了证物。
*
At the lab, Jimmy Price turns the head over with a matching look of disgusted intrigue.
实验室里，吉米·普莱斯翻动着那颗头颅，脸上混杂着厌恶与好奇的复杂神情。
“No prints off this baby,” he says, which Will already knew, “but I might be able to get you a print of a different kind.”
"这宝贝儿上没留下指纹，"他说道，威尔早已心知肚明，"不过说不定能给你弄到另一种印记。"
“What do you mean?” “你这话是什么意思？”
“See where the flesh of the cheeks is missing? There’s a clean cut. The edges of the flesh are too waterlogged to get a blade match, but I found deep scrapings in the gums where the meat has been incised from the skull, and they were sort of protected by the other flesh, if that makes sense. This isn’t from fish, these cheeks were cut away before the head was tossed.”
“看到脸颊上缺失的肉了吗？切口很整齐。虽然肉边缘被水泡得太厉害，无法匹配刀具痕迹，但我在牙龈处发现了深深的刮痕——那里的肉是从头骨上被割下来的，这些痕迹因为被其他组织保护着所以得以保留，不知道这样说是否清楚。这些痕迹不是鱼类造成的，脸颊是在头颅被抛入水中前就被割下的。”
“The cheeks were removed. Why?” It’s mostly rhetorical. Will thinks of cod cheeks in breadcrumbs, and horror creeps up his spine. It must show on his face, because Jimmy gives him a pinched smile.
"脸颊被切除了。为什么？"这多半是句反问。威尔想起裹着面包屑的鳕鱼脸颊肉，恐惧感顺着脊背爬上来。他的表情一定泄露了情绪，因为吉米冲他露出一个紧绷的微笑。
“I’ll let you imagine what delights the Bayou Butcher has indulging in. That's what I've been calling him. Catchy, no? Now, look at these photos.”
"我会让你想象一下'沼泽屠夫'享受了怎样的乐趣。我一直这么称呼他。很上口，不是吗？现在，看看这些照片。"
Will does. They’re the incision marks on the gums zoomed in, unusual in their angle even with the naked eye. Will’s frown deepens.
威尔确实认出来了。那些是牙龈上的切口痕迹放大后的样子，即使肉眼观察也能看出角度异常。威尔的眉头皱得更紧了。
“Cut with a curved blade.”
“用弧形刀刃切割。”
“Exactly. Very unusual to see that. I’d say either a shaping or gutting knife, or a linoleum cutter.”
“没错。这种情况非常罕见。我倾向于认为这是整形刀、剖腹刀，或是油毡切割刀。”
Gutting knife. Fish again. Will’s slowly developing picture of this butcher just took on a concerning new light.
剔骨刀。又是鱼。威尔脑海中逐渐成形的屠夫形象此刻蒙上了一层令人不安的新阴影。
“Jimmy, this is a breakthrough,” Will says quietly, “thank you.”
“吉米，这是个重大突破，”威尔轻声说道，“谢谢你。”
“Flattery will get you nowhere.”
“奉承可不会让你得逞。”
It’s true though, it is a breakthrough. He’s just not sure entirely what to do with it.
确实如此，这确实是个突破。他只是不太确定该如何处理这个发现。
*
Hannibal's mug sits on his kitchen counter, clean and empty. Will is so preoccupied that he almost forgets about it, until he doesn't, and then he can't believe he nearly did. He texts Hannibal on a late night at the office when his stats won't cooperate, unsure if he'll even still be up.
汉尼拔的马克杯搁在厨房台面上，干净而空荡。威尔心事重重到几乎忘了它的存在，直到记忆猛然回涌，他简直不敢相信自己竟差点遗忘。某个统计报表拒不配合的深夜，他在办公室给汉尼拔发了条短信，不确定对方是否还醒着。
Hey, you up? 还没睡？
I am on call this evening, so yes, comes the reply.
我今晚值班，所以是的，回复道。
Does on call mean at home? Will hesitates, then adds, Want to grab a coffee? That's something people still do, right?
"on call"是指在家待命吗？威尔犹豫了一下，又补充道：要一起去喝杯咖啡吗？现在人们还保留着这个习惯吧？
Yes, I would like that. Did you have a place in mind?
好的，我很乐意。你心里有想去的地方吗？
I'm guessing a Starbucks is out of the question. A long pause. Hannibal is either offended or he's laughing.
我猜星巴克是没戏了。一阵漫长的沉默。汉尼拔要么是被冒犯了，要么正在发笑。
I'd rather not, if it's all the same.
如果没什么区别的话，我宁愿不要。
your call then 你说了算
Hannibal texts back the street address of a cafe, and Will raises his eyebrows, pleased.
汉尼拔回复了一家咖啡馆的街道地址，威尔挑了挑眉，感到满意。
I can be there in ten minutes. It's only a few blocks away from the hospital, which is not far from headquarters.
我十分钟就能到。那里离医院只有几个街区，而医院离总部也不远。
I'll consider you on your way then. See you soon.
那我就当你已经上路了。回头见。
Will debates about adult men signing off texts with kisses, and amuses himself at the thought of Hannibal doing so. He thinks Hell might freeze over first. He's still tempted to try it. Then he collects himself and packs his bag to leave.
威尔一边琢磨成年男性在短信末尾加亲吻符号是否合适，一边想象汉尼拔这么做的场景自得其乐。他觉得除非地狱结冰，否则绝无可能。但他仍忍不住想试试看。随后他定了定神，收拾背包准备离开。
He pulls up outside the cafe a short while later, smiling when he sees Hannibal emerging from a sleek black Bentley.
片刻后，他将车停在咖啡馆外，看见汉尼拔从一辆锃亮的黑色宾利里走出来时，嘴角不由扬起笑意。
"A European count," he reminds himself. He's more casually dressed than usual, Will notices, having come from home instead of the hospital. "You own a sweater," he says, by way of greeting.
"一位欧洲伯爵，"他提醒自己。威尔注意到他比平时穿得随意，是从家里而非医院过来的。"你居然有件毛衣，"他打招呼道。
Hannibal looks down at his clothes, then up at Will, who knows he looks more than typically disheveled. "It appears that I do."
汉尼低头看了看自己的衣服，又抬眼望向威尔——对方显然比平时更加凌乱不堪。"看来确实如此。"
"It's very nice," Will offers, smiling when Hannibal touches his elbow to guide him through the door he opens.
"非常不错，"威尔微笑着说，汉尼拔轻触他的手肘引导他穿过那扇打开的门时，他露出了笑容。
"Thank you, Will." "谢谢你，威尔。"
"You're - you're welcome. How are you?" He follows Hannibal to a table, looking around the café with intrigue. It's small, but clean, and a bafflingly complicated sports car of an espresso machine rests on a marble counter.
"不——不客气。你最近怎么样？"他跟着汉尼拔走向餐桌，饶有兴趣地环顾着这家咖啡馆。店面虽小却很整洁，一台复杂得令人费解的跑车级意式咖啡机静卧在大理石台面上。
“I’m very well, thank you Will. And yourself?”
“我很好，谢谢你的关心，威尔。你呢？”
“Apart from running a little empty, I’m good.” As good as he ever is. Being here with Hannibal has him feeling uncommonly light.
“除了有点饿，我很好。” 他一贯如此。和汉尼拔在一起让他感到异常轻松。
"I recommend the pastries, if you are hungry," Hannibal says. As soon as he moves to the counter, an older man materializes from the back. They order, and then go to sit down. As he takes in the many mirrors on the walls, Will remembers the reason he thought to get in touch.
“如果你饿了，我推荐这里的糕点。”汉尼拔说道。他刚走向柜台，一位年长的男子就从后厨现身。他们点完餐后找位置坐下。当威尔注意到墙上众多镜子时，他想起了自己联系汉尼拔的初衷。
"I have your thermos in my car."
"你的保温杯在我车里。"
"I will endeavor to remember that," Hannibal says with a brief smile, “though I must admit I’m not quite functioning at optimum capacity.”
"我会努力记住这一点，"汉尼拔微微一笑，"尽管我必须承认，目前我的状态并非最佳。"
“That doesn’t sound like you. Everything all right?”
"这可不像你的作风。出什么事了吗？"
"I performed an emergency surgery late last night," Hannibal says quietly. "That is why I am on call now and not at the hospital proper."
"我昨晚临时做了台急诊手术，"汉尼拔轻声说道。"所以现在是我值班，而不是在医院里。"
"How did it go?" "手术顺利吗？"
"Successfully," he answers. "It took eight hours, though, which is... draining."
"成功了，"他回答道，"不过花了八个小时，真是……够累人的。"
"Eight hours you'd have spent solving puzzles anyway, I imagine," Will observes idly.
“我猜你横竖都要花八小时解谜，”威尔漫不经心地说道。
"Perhaps. I do enjoy a puzzle." He gives Will what he imagines is a meaningful smile. Will smiles back before removing his glasses. He rubs his eyes, tension easing in his temples.
“也许吧。我确实喜欢解谜。”他朝威尔露出一个自认为意味深长的微笑。威尔回以微笑，随后摘下眼镜，揉了揉眼睛，太阳穴的紧绷感渐渐舒缓。
Their coffees come to the table in a cloud of fragrant steam. Hannibal seems unusually quiet. Perhaps it's just the time of night.
他们的咖啡在氤氲香气中被端上桌。汉尼拔显得异常沉默，或许只是夜深时分的缘故。
"I was thinking about what you said at breakfast," Will tells him, sipping his coffee.
"我在想早餐时你说的那些话，"威尔啜饮着咖啡对他说道。
"Which thing was that?" "哪件事来着？"
"About motives for friendship. Not wondering about them. What if I'm still wondering about them?"
"关于友谊的动机。不去揣测它们。可如果我仍在揣测呢？"
"Then I imagine you are thinking like a detective."
"那么我想你正在以侦探的方式思考。"
"Unfortunately, I don't seem to be able to stop."
"不幸的是，我似乎无法停止这种思考。"
"Do you wish to?" "你想吗？"
"I don't know," Will murmurs. He sips his coffee again. It's not as good as Hannibal's. That makes him think of Beverly. "I think my coworker is interested in selling her soul for more of your coffee, by the way. She had a sip the other morning."
"我不知道，"威尔低声说。他又抿了一口咖啡，这杯不如汉尼泡的好喝。这让他想起了贝弗莉。"对了，我觉得我同事愿意出卖灵魂来换你更多的咖啡。有天早上她尝了一口。"
"I don't accept souls," Hannibal says flippantly. Will can't tell if he's hurt by what Will just said.
"我不收灵魂，"汉尼拔轻佻地说。威尔分辨不出他是否被自己刚才的话伤到了。
"A pound of flesh, perhaps," he suggests, unsure how to clarify that he hadn't meant it to sound- how it did. Apeshit.
"或许一磅肉吧，"他提议道，不确定该如何澄清自己并非有意让这话听起来——像那样。疯癫至极。
"Depends which pound." "那要看是哪个收容所了。"
Will looks down at the table, where their hands sit only inches apart. He swallows a few times, and then looks at Hannibal again. "How about a heart?"
威尔低头看向桌面，他们的手相距不过几英寸。他吞咽了几下，再次抬眼望向汉尼拔。"心脏怎么样？"
"Not quite a pound in mass," Hannibal says, sounding very much the surgeon for a moment, "though perhaps I could be convinced."
"质量还不到一磅，"汉尼拔说道，语气里突然透出外科医生特有的精准，"不过或许我能被说服。"
"I can occasionally be compelling," Will says.
"我偶尔也能很有说服力，"威尔说。
"Always, in my experience." His tone makes Will shiver. He shifts his hand minutely, and then thinks of Xs on the ends of texts, and breakfast. Finally, he rests his fingers overtop of Hannibal's on the tabletop between them, just gently.
"以我的经验来看，你向来如此。"对方的语气让威尔打了个寒颤。他微微动了动手，随即想起短信末尾的 X 符号，还有早餐。最终，他将手指轻轻覆上汉尼拔搁在两人之间桌面上的手背。
Hannibal goes very still. Will's heart almost stops entirely.
汉尼拔瞬间僵住。威尔的心脏几乎完全停止了跳动。
"Breathe," Hannibal suggests softly.
“呼吸。”汉尼拔轻声建议道。
Will does, making to withdraw his hand, ears starting to burn again. Hannibal's fingers encircle his wrist before it slips from the tabletop. Will looks at him, still having to persuade himself to breathe.
威尔照做了，正要抽回手，耳根又开始发烫。汉尼拔的手指在他手腕滑离桌面前圈住了它。威尔望着他，仍需要说服自己保持呼吸。
"Is it my motives you still don't understand," Hannibal asks, "or is it your own?"
"是你不明白我的动机，"汉尼拔问道，"还是不明白你自己的？"
"Definitely yours," Will breathes, "I'd say my hand is tipped, wouldn't you?"
"绝对是你的，"威尔轻声道，"我想我的底牌已经亮出来了，不是吗？"
"For the sake of clarity..." Hannibal lifts Will's hand slowly and with no real resistance, and presses his lips against the delicate veins of his wrist for a moment. Then he places it back on the table like it's something delicate.
"为了明确起见..."汉尼拔缓缓抬起威尔的手，没有遇到任何实质性的抵抗，他的双唇在那纤细的腕间血管上停留了片刻。随后他将那只手放回桌面，动作轻柔得仿佛在对待什么易碎品。
Will controls his breathing, just barely. He's struck with the sudden urge to laugh. Instead, he looks around, heart beating hard in his chest, and tries not to smile too wide. He looks back and catches the tail end of Hannibal's sudden desperate search for an expression, and something barbed and warm settles in his rib cage.
威尔竭力控制着呼吸。一股突如其来的笑意几乎要冲破喉咙，但他只是环顾四周，胸腔里的心脏剧烈跳动着，努力不让自己笑得太过明显。当他回望时，恰好捕捉到汉尼拔脸上转瞬即逝的慌乱神情，某种带着倒刺的暖意就此扎根在他的肋骨之间。
"Hannibal?" At the sound of his name, Hannibal smiles. Will sighs at the sight of it. "We should- uh, we should catch a movie or a show or something one night, right?"
“汉尼拔？”听到自己的名字，汉尼拔露出了微笑。威尔见状叹了口气。“我们该——呃，改天晚上一起看场电影或演出什么的，对吧？”
"I would enjoy that," he murmurs.
"我很乐意，"他低语道。
Will smiles again. He can't help it. "Thanks. Me too."
威尔又笑了。他忍不住。"谢谢。我也是。"
"Perhaps a drink, when I'm not on call."
"也许可以喝一杯，只要我不值班。"
"Sure. Just let me know what would be best for you."
"当然。告诉我什么对你最合适。"
"I will." Hannibal drinks some of his coffee. He looks down at their hands again several times, until Will takes pity on him and offers it to him, just under the lip of the table this time. The feel of Hannibal's hand - cool and well-manicured and powerful - sliding over his, is indescribable. "An interesting development," Hannibal observes.
"我会的。"汉尼拔啜饮了一口咖啡。他的目光数次垂落至他们的手上，直到威尔心生怜悯，这次在桌沿下方主动将手递了过去。汉尼拔的手——冰凉、修剪精致且充满力量——覆上他手背的触感难以言喻。"有趣的进展，"汉尼拔评价道。
"Un - unexpected?" Will manages to ask.
"意——意外？"威尔勉强挤出这句话。
"I was not convinced your inclinations would run to..."
"我原本不确定你的倾向会偏向……"
"Men," Will puts in. He flushes deeply to say it. It seems crude. Even so, Hannibal nods.
"男人，"威尔插话道。说出这个词让他涨红了脸，显得粗俗不堪。即便如此，汉尼拔还是点了点头。
"You have a way with words."
"你言辞犀利。"
"For using as few as possible?"
"为了尽可能少用？"
"And the most abrupt." "也是最唐突的。"
"Saves time." "省时间。"
Hannibal lets out a breath of laughter. "Not always the intended outcome though, is it?"
汉尼拔轻笑出声。"不过并非总是预期结果，不是吗？"
"What do you mean?" "你这话是什么意思？"
"Repartee generally requires more than monosyllabism."
"妙语连珠通常不止于单音节词。"
"Is that what you enjoy?" Hannibal raises a brow. "Repartee," Will enunciates.
"这就是你喜欢的吗？"汉尼拔挑起眉毛。"唇枪舌战，"威尔一字一顿地说。
"When I can get it," Hannibal sounds long-suffering.
"等我弄到手的时候，"汉尼拔的语气透着股忍辱负重的意味。
Will sighs. "How do you feel about sarcasm?"
威尔叹了口气。"你觉得讽刺挖苦怎么样？"
"It'll do in a pinch."
"紧急情况下可以凑合。"
"That's reassuring. See, I don't even know I'm doing it."
"真让人放心。瞧，我甚至没意识到自己在这么做。"
"Yes, you do." Hannibal squeezes his hand minutely. Will grins, and sees that he's smiling too, in his quiet way. He feels dizzy, in a way a late-night shock of caffeine can't hope to explain. He takes his hand back to warm it on his coffee, but not before giving Hannibal's the same gentle squeeze he did, a pulse of touch code that seems to make him flex his fingers afterward like they still tingle.
"不，你很清楚。"汉尼拔极轻地捏了捏他的手。威尔咧嘴笑了，看见对方也正以他特有的安静方式微笑。他感到一阵眩晕，那种深夜咖啡因冲击都无法解释的晕眩。他抽回手去暖咖啡，但没忘记回敬汉尼拔一个同样轻柔的捏握——这个触碰密码般的动作似乎让汉尼拔事后活动了下手指，仿佛指尖仍在发麻。
Will stares at his cup. Eye contact would be too much right now. He wants this, he realizes, with a delayed sort of clarity. He likes it. Likes Hannibal.
威尔盯着自己的杯子。此刻的眼神交汇太过沉重。他后知后觉地意识到，自己渴望这一切。他喜欢这种感觉。喜欢汉尼拔。
"So, how long are you on call?"
“那么，你这次值班要多久？”
"Until three.” "到三点为止。"
Will nods, not sure what he wants to do with this information, just knowing that he wants to do something with it. "What were you doing when I texted?"
威尔点点头，不确定该如何处理这个信息，只知道他必须做些什么。"我发短信时你在干什么？"
"I was working on a composition."
"我在创作一首曲子。"
"Harpsichord?" Will asks, fingers twitching minutely.
"羽管键琴？"威尔问道，手指微微抽动。
"Just so." Hannibal smiles at him. "It's something I've been working on a long time. I am almost never satisfied with it."
"正是如此。"汉尼拔对他微微一笑。"这是我长期以来的心血之作。几乎从未对它满意过。"
"I can see that, with you. Perfectionism, that is."
"我能看出，你身上有这种特质。完美主义，就是如此。"
"That's true," Hannibal agrees, "but there's an element of change with composition. You can feel the need for a different sound on any given day."
"确实如此，"汉尼拔表示赞同，"但创作中蕴含着变化的元素。每一天你都能感受到对不同声音的需求。"
"So why not write a different piece?"
"那为什么不另写一篇呢？"
"Sometimes they have the same energy." Hannibal shrugs. "I do usually."
"有时他们气场相似。"汉尼拔耸耸肩，"我通常如此。"
"Sometimes you just want to finish what you've started?"
"有时候你就是想有始有终？"
"Sometimes I have to." "有时我不得不这么做。"
"I can understand that." "我能理解这一点。"
"Is there anything you don't understand?"
"有什么不明白的地方吗？"
Will laughs. "A lot." 威尔笑了。"很多。"
"I'm not sure I believe it."
“我不确定自己是否相信。”
"There's a lot I haven't tried to." Hannibal tilts his head at that. Will likes that, too, he realizes. He feels seen.
"还有很多事我未曾尝试。"汉尼拔闻言微微偏头。威尔意识到，自己也很喜欢这个动作。他感到被看透。
"Understanding people can make it hard to disentangle ourselves from them," he says eventually, softly. "Seeing too much: irreversibly damaging."
"理解他人会让我们难以与之划清界限，"最终他轻声说道，"看得太透彻：这种伤害无法挽回。"
"Is that psychiatry degree re-emerging, Doctor?"
"您的精神病学学位又派上用场了吗，医生？"
Hannibal smiles. "Should I apologize again?"
汉尼拔微微一笑。"需要我再道歉一次吗？"
"No, of course not. You're right, too. It's what makes my work so difficult; I tend to walk a thin line."
"不，当然不是。你说得对，这也正是我工作如此困难的原因；我常常如履薄冰。"
"It probably makes you uncomfortably good at it, too."
"这大概也让你对此异常擅长，甚至到了令人不适的地步。"
"Uncomfortable for everyone, I'm sure."
"想必对所有人来说都很不自在。"
"Sounds like you speak from experience."
听起来你很有经验。
Will laughs. "Yes." 威尔笑了。"确实。"
Hannibal touches his wrist again, just two fingers, like a blessing. "I am not uncomfortable."
汉尼拔再次触碰他的手腕，仅用两根手指，如同赐福。"我并不觉得不适。"
Will bites his lip, letting his hand tilt again, watching Hannibal's two fingers draw up to his palm. "No?"
威尔咬住嘴唇，任由手掌再次倾斜，看着汉尼拔的两根手指滑向自己掌心。"不要吗？"
"Not in the least." "一点也不。"
"Good... good. I don't want that."
"好...很好。我不想要那个。"
"I take it there are other things you want," Hannibal murmurs.
"我猜你还有其他想要的东西，"汉尼拔低声说道。
Will chuffs a bit, looking away for a moment. "Very astute, Doctor." Hannibal hums. When he says nothing, Will goes on. "What do you want?"
威尔轻哼一声，目光短暂地移开。"真是敏锐啊，医生。"汉尼拔发出低沉的鼻音。见对方沉默不语，威尔继续道："你想要什么？"
"Understanding," Hannibal says after a moment's pause.
"理解，"汉尼拔停顿片刻后说道。
"You don't often find it," Will guesses.
"你并不常遇到它，"威尔猜测道。
"I've only looked a few times."
"我只看了几次。"
That seems like a bridge into a much more serious conversation. Will worries at his lip with his teeth. "Is understanding all that you want, Doctor?"
这似乎引向了一个更为严肃的话题。威尔用牙齿轻咬着嘴唇。"理解就是您想要的全部吗，医生？"
"No," Hannibal murmurs. "I think not." Will smiles at that, too. "Generous with those, tonight," Hannibal says, a touch of teasing in his politeness.
"不，"汉尼拔低语道，"我想不必了。"威尔闻言又笑了。"今晚你倒是慷慨，"汉尼拔说，彬彬有礼中带着一丝揶揄。
"It's been known to happen."
"这种事时有发生。"
"Of course, I won't let it go to my head." His smirk says otherwise.
"当然，我不会得意忘形的。"他嘴角的弧度却出卖了心思。
Will pokes at his pastry. "Thank you for coming out with me."
威尔戳了戳面前的酥皮点心。"谢谢你陪我出来。"
"You don't have to thank me for that. I was pleased to hear from you."
"不必为此道谢。收到你的消息让我很高兴。"
"I wasn't sure you were the texting sort."
"我不确定你是会发短信的那种人。"
"Well naturally I prefer a quill and parchment."
"当然，我更喜欢用羽毛笔和羊皮纸。"
Will scoffs. "Now you're just mocking me."
威尔嗤之以鼻。"你现在就是在嘲笑我。"
"You started it." “是你先开始的。”
It sounds so ridiculous in Hannibal's plummy accent. Will bursts into surprised laughter, shaking his head. "I'm so sorry, Doctor Lecter."
汉尼拔那装腔作势的口吻让这话听起来荒谬至极。威尔突然爆发出一阵意外的笑声，摇着头说："实在抱歉，莱克特医生。"
"Are you really?" His voice drops a measure. Will bites his lip when he looks at him.
"当真抱歉吗？"他的声线沉了几分。威尔看向他时咬住了嘴唇。
"Of course." "当然。"
Hannibal raises one pale brow. It elicits a shiver so sharp in Will that he swears Hannibal must hear his bones chatter. He feels ridiculously exposed.
汉尼拔挑起一道苍白的眉毛。这动作在威尔体内激起一阵如此尖锐的战栗，他敢打赌汉尼拔绝对能听见自己牙齿打颤的声音。他感到荒谬地赤裸。
Hannibal reaches out, visibly hesitant, and cups Will's hand in his own two. "Very pretty."
汉尼拔伸出手，明显带着犹豫，用双手捧住威尔的手。"非常漂亮。"
Will can feel the tremor of his pulse in his neck. A flush follows, down his neck to his chest. If the shiver was exposure, this is dissection, while he looks into Hannibal's wine-dark eyes. He sees desire there, more savage than anything he expected. Hannibal looks at him with a plain and fierce hunger. The veil of polite interest he usually wears is gone. Will can do nothing but stare.
威尔能感觉到颈动脉的搏动震颤。红晕随之蔓延，从脖颈流向胸膛。如果说先前的战栗是暴露在外的寒意，此刻凝视汉尼拔那双酒红色眼眸时，他正经历着解剖般的赤裸。他在那目光中看到了欲望，比预想中任何情形都更野蛮。汉尼拔注视他的眼神直白而凶暴，惯常佩戴的彬彬有礼面具已然剥落。威尔只能怔然回望。
"Do you see me?" Hannibal murmurs, and Will nods. "Do you understand?"
"你看见我了吗？"汉尼拔低语道，威尔点了点头。"你明白了吗？"
Will licks his lips. He's abruptly, entirely turned on. "I understand. Are you sure," he asks faintly, "that you're on call until three?"
威尔舔了舔嘴唇。一股突如其来的燥热席卷全身。"我明白了，"他轻声问道，声音几不可闻，"你确定三点前都要值班吗？"
Hannibal's eyes smile again. "Yes. But not every night." He checks his watch. "And three is not that far away."
汉尼拔的眼睛再次浮现笑意。"是的。但并非每晚如此。"他看了看手表。"三点也不算太晚。"
It's far enough. Will lets out the breath he’d been holding, a touch of the shiver coming out with it. Hannibal touches his shoulder.
够远了。威尔呼出憋在胸口的那口气，连带泄出一丝颤抖。汉尼拔的手搭上他的肩头。
"Besides, I think you will see the benefit of some time to process all of this. You seem somewhat overwrought."
"况且，我认为你会明白花些时间消化这一切的好处。你看起来有些过度紧张了。"
"Only always." “永远都是。”
Hannibal nods. He keeps his hand in Will's as they go back to their coffee. "Tell me about other times you've been overwrought."
汉尼拔点点头。他们回到咖啡旁时，他的手仍与威尔相握。"告诉我你其他情绪失控的时刻。"
"That seems less than interesting."
"这似乎没什么意思。"
"Not to me." "对我而言并非如此。"
"I think you'll need to be more specific," Will gulps. Hannibal's attention feels like the heat of a fire against his skin.
"我想你需要说得更具体些，"威尔咽了咽口水。汉尼拔的注视让他皮肤发烫，如同被火焰炙烤。
"You said, when we met, that catching your last killer hadn't been your proudest moment."
"你曾说过，在我们相遇时，抓住最后一个杀手并非你最引以为豪的时刻。"
Going from the stark desire in Hannibal's face to coolly discussing murder makes his head spin. "Uh-huh," he manages.
从汉尼拔脸上赤裸的欲望突然转到冷静讨论谋杀，这让他头晕目眩。"呃嗯，"他勉强应道。
"You weren't talking about the act- that made you proud. It was something else."
"你骄傲的并非那个行为本身——而是别的什么。"
"I'm often asked to recreate a crime scene in my mind," Will murmurs. "Sometimes - it's like you said - I see too much."
"常有人要求我在脑海中重现犯罪现场，"威尔低语道，"有时候——就像你说的——我看得太透彻了。"
"What happened?" Hannibal asks. No clever juxtaposition, no dancing around- just that want in his eyes again, a different kind of keenness.
"发生了什么？"汉尼拔问道。没有巧妙的并置，没有迂回试探——只是他眼中再次浮现那种渴望，一种截然不同的热切。
"I felt as if I'd killed them. The thought - persisted, for quite some time."
"我感觉仿佛是我杀了他们。这个念头——持续了相当长一段时间。"
Hannibal nods in understanding. His thumb skims very gently against Will's knuckles. "That was recent, then."
汉尼拔会意地点点头，拇指轻轻掠过威尔的指节。"那是不久前的事。"
"Last year. I had – a break. I couldn’t get it out of my head."
去年。我——崩溃过。那些画面始终挥之不去。
"You were hospitalized?" "你住院了？"
Will nods, looking at the table. He can't look at Hannibal now, too afraid of what he'll see. He almost startles when Hannibal brings his lips to the back of Will's hand, sleek head bowed toward him as if in prayer. They linger for a moment. Will feels the intense desire to touch his crown. He resists.
威尔点点头，目光落在桌面上。他现在不敢看汉尼拔，害怕看到对方眼中的情绪。当汉尼拔的嘴唇贴上他手背时，威尔几乎惊跳起来——对方光滑的发顶向他低垂，如同祈祷般虔诚。这个动作停留了片刻。威尔内心涌起触碰那发顶的强烈冲动，但他克制住了。
"You see now," Hannibal murmurs, "why I too find it hard to maintain casual friendships."
"你现在明白了，"汉尼拔低语道，"为何我也难以维系泛泛之交。"
"There are no easy questions?"
"难道就没有简单的问题吗？"
"Well, a few." "好吧，确实有几个。"
"No easy answers, then, and you want to know them all."
"看来没有简单的答案，而你想知道全部。"
"Yes, I'm afraid I do."
“恐怕确实如此。”
Will lets himself linger on the image of Hannibal bent over his lap again for several seconds as a balm to his discomfort. "You won't like a lot of them."
威尔放任自己再次沉浸于汉尼拔俯身在他膝头的画面，让这景象如药膏般抚慰他的不适。"你不会喜欢其中大部分的。"
"I will be the judge of that, Will."
"这该由我来判断，威尔。"
"Well, don't say I didn't warn you."
"好吧，别说我没警告过你。"
Hannibal just nods, expression gone a bit remote. That's terrifying, to slip in and out of his passion without warning. Will wants to see that dark heat again. "Have you ever been overwrought?"
汉尼拔只是点点头，表情变得有些疏离。这种毫无预警地在激情中抽离的状态令人恐惧。威尔想再次看到那种幽暗的热度。"你曾有过情绪失控的时候吗？"
"Not for a very long time," Hannibal says quietly. He looks uncertain for a split second before his face smooths out again. Will sees from the smoothness that the only example he brings to mind is a terrible one. Despite Hannibal's delicate insistence on Will's own raw truth, he won't do the same. He doesn't want get lost inside it, and that’s what will happen if he pushes. Regardless, he knows he'll find out eventually. He always does, whether he wants to or not.
"很久都没有过了，"汉尼拔轻声说道。他的脸上闪过一丝犹疑，转瞬又恢复了平静。威尔从那平静中看出，他此刻能想到的唯一例子必定极为不堪。尽管汉尼拔一直微妙地坚持要威尔袒露真实感受，他自己却不愿这样做。他不想深陷其中，而继续追问只会导致这样的结果。无论如何，威尔知道自己终将知晓真相。他总是如此，无论情愿与否。
"Let's go for dinner soon," he murmurs, instead of pursuing the subject. "Do you do that?" he asks after a moment. "Go out."
"我们改天去吃饭吧，"他低声说道，没有继续这个话题。过了一会儿，他又问："你会那样做吗？出门。"
"Of course." "当然。"
"Will you insist on choosing, because that actually makes things easier on me..."
"你非要坚持选择不可吗，这样反倒让我省心多了……"
Hannibal starts to snicker a bit. "If you like."
汉尼拔轻笑了一声。"随你喜欢。"
Will blushes hard. He likes to see him laughing, even so. "I just know I'm not classy enough for you. I do own a suit, I promise."
威尔的脸颊烧得通红。即便如此，他仍爱看他笑的模样。"我就是知道自己配不上你的格调。不过我确实有套西装，真的。"
"And I would dearly love to see you in it," Hannibal promises, "but Will, I can assure you I won't ever consider you less than me."
"我极想看你穿上它，"汉尼拔承诺道，"但威尔，我可以向你保证，我永远不会认为你低我一等。"
It makes him more relieved than he can quite express. "And here I thought you were smart," he says, for lack of what else to say.
这让他松了一口气，却难以言表。"我还以为你很聪明呢，"他说道，一时想不出别的话来。
"The sarcasm you mentioned?" Hannibal replies coolly. Will gives him a smiling shrug. "Then I will pick a place."
"你提到的讽刺？"汉尼拔冷静地回应。威尔给了他一个带笑的耸肩。"那我来选地方。"
"Thank you." "谢谢。"
"When shall I make the reservation?"
"我该预约在什么时候？"
"I'm off Friday because I'm covering the weekend."
“我周五休息，因为要调休周末。”
"Friday, then." “那就周五见。”
It seems like weeks away. Will forces himself to nod, then looks at his watch with a sigh. "I should get back to work."
那感觉像是几周之后的事。威尔强迫自己点了点头，随后叹了口气看向手表。"我该回去工作了。"
Hannibal makes to stand up with him. Their shoulders bump as they rise, and Will apologizes under his breath.
汉尼拔作势要与他一同起身。两人站起时肩膀相撞，威尔低声说了句抱歉。
Hannibal's hand settles on his shoulder. Will pays for the coffee, and they head out onto the street, the dark swallowing up their clasped hands. They pause by Will's Jeep.
汉尼拔的手搭上他的肩膀。威尔付了咖啡钱，两人走向街道，黑暗吞没了他们交握的双手。他们在威尔的吉普车旁停下脚步。
"Good night, Hannibal," he murmurs, "thank you for joining me."
"晚安，汉尼拔，"他轻声说道，"谢谢你陪我。"
"Until next time," Hannibal replies, licking his lips.
"下次见，"汉尼拔回答，舔了舔嘴唇。
Will watches his tongue for a split second. He pauses, heart giving a painful pound. He knows what he wants, but he feels pinned in place by the power of Hannibal's presence. Aware that the moment has stretched too long, he settles for squeezing his hand before he lets go. "Oh- I have your cup."
威尔有一瞬间咬住了自己的舌头。他停顿片刻，心脏传来一阵刺痛般的跳动。他清楚自己想要什么，却被汉尼拔的存在感钉在原地动弹不得。意识到沉默持续得过久，他最终只是用力握了握对方的手便松开。"啊——你的杯子还在我这里。"
Hannibal’s smile is appreciative as Will opens the car to grab it, and when he hands it over they’re close again. Will stutters a bit.
汉尼拔的笑容中带着赞许，威尔打开车门去拿时，两人再度靠近。威尔有些结巴起来。
"Thank you, Will,” Hannibal says softly. “I’ll speak to you shortly. Please, look after yourself."
“谢谢你，威尔。”汉尼拔轻声说道，“我很快会再联系你。请照顾好自己。”
Not overly likely, but he nods his head anyway. "I'll see you Friday."
可能性不大，但他还是点了点头。"周五见。"
"I will call you about the arrangements." Hannibal pauses, hand on the car door when Will is finally in his seat. He lingers. Will would find the whole thing awful if he wasn't so strung up on the novelty of it. He freezes, pinned in place. Finally, Hannibal leans in, pressing a single, lingering kiss to the corner of his mouth, before withdrawing entirely. He closes the car door for Will, making a decision Will isn't sure he'd have been able to.
"我会打电话和你商量具体安排。"汉尼拔的手搭在车门上，等威尔终于坐定后顿了顿。他迟迟没有离开。若不是被这种新奇感搅得心神不宁，威尔会觉得整件事糟糕透顶。他僵在原地动弹不得。最终汉尼拔倾身上前，在他嘴角印下一个绵长的轻吻，而后彻底抽身。他为威尔关上车门，这个决定威尔自己都不确定能否做得出。
He watches him walk to his car with a pleasant little wave, and holds his breath until he's inside it. Then, he lets it out in a harsh, fast burst. "Fuck," he says. He has to wait a few minutes, until he's sure Hannibal's gone and his breathing is steady again. His heart still pangs every time his thoughts stray back to Hannibal's hands on his. It's been ages since he's had a physical reaction to anyone like that. He can't remember the last time, even. Mentally, he turns the moment over again and again as he drives back to the station. Now, he has to keep a lid on it until Friday.
他目送对方走向汽车，那人还愉快地挥了挥手。他屏住呼吸，直到对方坐进车里。随后猛地吐出一口急促的气息。"该死，"他低咒。不得不等待几分钟，直到确认汉尼拔已经离开，呼吸才重新平稳下来。每当思绪飘回汉尼拔覆在他手上的触感，心脏仍会刺痛。已经很多年没有人能让他产生这样的生理反应了。他甚至记不清上一次是什么时候。开车回警局的路上，他在脑海中反复回味那个瞬间。现在，他必须把这份悸动压抑到周五。
***
Hannibal spends several hours over the next few days making a list of restaurants and methodically crossing entries back off of it. It's not that any of them are subpar- quite the opposite- but they're still not right. Too dark, or too bright, or too jarringly not-Will. Several have private dining rooms available, and he considers that. Then he thinks of how uncomfortable Will seems at displays of wealth, and that idea off the list as well.
接下来的几天里，汉尼拔花了数小时列出一份餐厅清单，又逐一划去。并非这些餐厅不够水准——恰恰相反——但它们总是不对劲。要么灯光太暗，要么太亮，要么就是与威尔的气质格格不入。有几家提供私人包间，他考虑过这个选项。但转念想起威尔面对财富炫耀时的不自在，便也将这个念头从清单上剔除。
The list shrinks until he finally makes his choice - a small Japanese restaurant with a charming leafy courtyard. Simple but expertly prepared food, no forks for Will to nervously fidget with. And fresh fish - Will should surely appreciate that.
名单逐渐缩短，直到他最终选定——一家带有迷人绿荫庭院的日式小餐馆。菜品简约却制作精良，没有让威尔紧张摆弄的餐叉。还有新鲜的鱼——威尔肯定会喜欢这点。
That thought brings to mind the image of Will at his table, eyes closing as he savored his first bite of liver. It's burned bright into the dark of Hannibal's mind. He replays it often, whenever his emotions threaten to overwhelm the tight rein he keeps on them.
这个念头让汉尼拔想起威尔坐在桌前的模样——他闭眼品尝第一口肝脏时的神情。这一幕在汉尼拔幽暗的脑海中灼烧出鲜明印记。每当情绪即将冲破他精心构筑的樊笼时，他总会反复回味这个画面。
"Have you ever been overwrought?" he'd asked. Hannibal was overwrought there and then. He'd hidden it ruthlessly, but Will seems to call it forth. It's disconcerting.
"你可曾感到过心神不宁？"他曾这样问道。此刻的汉尼拔正被这种情绪所困。他将其残忍地掩藏，但威尔似乎总能将其唤起。这令人不安。
As ever, though, Hannibal sees opportunity in the preoccupation. He circles the notation on his paper and picks up the phone, closing his eyes as it rings. He makes a reservation, then looks at his phone again, thinking. He slowly dials Will's number next. Will answers almost immediately.
然而，汉尼拔一如既往地从这份专注中看到了机会。他用笔圈出纸上的标记，拿起电话，闭目等待铃声响起。订完座位后，他再次盯着手机陷入沉思。接着他缓缓拨通了威尔的号码。电话几乎立刻就被接了起来。
"Graham, Homicide." It's evening, but he sounds a little blurry. Hannibal realizes he'd hoped to find Will at home.
"格雷厄姆，凶杀组。"虽是傍晚，他的声音却带着几分恍惚。汉尼拔这才意识到，自己原本期望能在家里找到威尔。
"Hello, Will. I hope I'm not disturbing you at work."
“你好，威尔。希望没有打扰你工作。”
"No, I'm off for tonight."
"不，我今晚休息了。"
Answering his phone on autopilot, then. "I wanted to call you about Friday."
他机械地接起电话。"我想跟你聊聊周五的事。"
"Oh." He audibly perks up. "I'm sorry, Hannibal, working on a report, takes me a minute to uh- anyway, what's up?"
"哦。"他明显精神一振。"抱歉，汉尼拔，刚才在写报告，让我缓一下——呃，总之，有什么事吗？"
"Working from home?" Hannibal asks. From the sound of Will's voice, he's been drinking, so he'd be surprised.
"在家办公？"汉尼拔问道。从威尔的声音判断，他一直在喝酒，这倒让他有些意外。
"It's a paper for a forensics journal, that's all."
"只是给法医学期刊的一篇论文而已。"
The ambition in Will is subtle, but it's still there beneath the surface. Hannibal allows himself a moment to muse on it. "What is it on?"
威尔心中的野心虽隐晦，却仍潜藏于表象之下。汉尼拔放任自己对此沉思片刻。"关于什么的野心？"
"It's a monograph on time of death by insect activity."
"这是一篇关于昆虫活动推断死亡时间的专著。"
"New insights on the phenomena?"
"关于这一现象的新见解？"
"Climate variants in the bayou," Will says absently.
"海湾的气候变化，"威尔心不在焉地说道。
"Sounds charming," Hannibal jokes, pleased at Will's little huff of laughter.
"听起来很迷人，"汉尼拔开玩笑地说，对威尔那声轻哼的笑声感到愉悦。
"Morbid, but so is my career. You called about dinner?"
"病态，但我的职业也是如此。你是打电话来谈晚餐的事吗？"
"I've made reservations for eight on Friday. Would that work for you?"
"我订了周五晚上八点的位置，这个时间对你合适吗？"
"Yes, that sounds great. Where are we going, or is it a surprise?"
"听起来不错。我们去哪儿，还是说这是个惊喜？"
"It's not a surprise. It's a Japanese place establishment, not far from here. Any objections?"
"这没什么好惊讶的。是家日式料理店，离这儿不远。有意见吗？"
"No, none. Are we meeting there?"
“不，没有。我们在那儿碰头吗？”
"I thought I could collect you."
"我以为我能将你据为己有。"
There's a pause, then Will says. "Yeah, I - can be ready by seven-thirty if you want to. I'm in the Seventh Ward." He lists his address and Hannibal jots it carefully down in his appointment book.
短暂的沉默后，威尔开口道："嗯，我可以——如果你方便的话，七点半能准备好。我在第七区。"他报出自己的地址，汉尼拔仔细地将它记在预约本上。
"I look forward to it."
“我期待着。”
"Me too." Hannibal rearranges himself a bit. Will makes a noise of interest. "It's nice to hear from you. Are you okay?"
"我也是。"汉尼拔稍微调整了下姿势。威尔发出感兴趣的轻哼。"能听到你的声音真好。你还好吗？"
"I'm well. I haven't had many more opportunities for company this week."
"我很好。这周没什么机会与人作伴。"
"Sounds disappointing." “听起来真让人失望。”
"I only cared for one person's company, to be honest."
"说实话，我只在乎一个人的陪伴。"
Will goes quiet for a moment. "I- you mean me?"
威尔沉默了片刻。"我——你是说我？"
"Yes, Will, I mean you."
“是的，威尔，我指的就是你。”
He's quiet, but Hannibal gets the sense he's touched. "I - Well, same."
他沉默不语，但汉尼拔能感觉到他被触动了。"我——好吧，我也是。"
"Good." Hannibal smiles. "I'm pleased to hear that." He's more than pleased. His possessiveness is no secret to keep from himself.
"很好。"汉尼拔微笑道。"很高兴听你这么说。"他何止是高兴。对自己的占有欲，他无需隐瞒。
"Friday seems a long way away," Will says quietly.
"星期五似乎还很遥远，"威尔轻声说道。
Hannibal hums. "Does it?"
汉尼拔轻哼一声。"是吗？"
"It doesn't to you?" "对你来说不是这样吗？"
"I will surely be counting the hours."
"我定当时时默数分秒。"
"How many we at so far?"
"现在数到多少了？"
The South curls through his words, accent stronger, Hannibal thinks, due to whatever he's drinking. "Seventy, I believe."
汉尼拔注意到他话语中南方口音愈发浓重，想必是酒精的作用。"七十个，我想。"
"And counting." “还在继续。”
Hannibal likes it. He likes how loose and easy he sounds now, like he would answer any question Hannibal threw him. He's tempted. Not being able to see his face while he does it is a drawback.
汉尼拔喜欢这种感觉。他喜欢对方现在听起来如此放松随意的语气，仿佛会回答他抛出的任何问题。这让他蠢蠢欲动。唯一美中不足的是，此刻看不见对方的脸。
"Save any lives today?" Will asks the considering silence.
"今天救了什么人吗？"威尔对着那片若有所思的寂静发问。
"A couple, for the time being. And you?"
"暂时是一对。你呢？"
"Arguably ended one. A warrant for manslaughter- he ran, but I got him." He makes a mild noise. "He got me too actually, I've got a bit of a, uh, bruise. I hope that's okay at dinner." When Hannibal doesn't respond immediately, he adds, "the EMT looked at it for me on the scene."
"勉强算结了一桩。过失杀人的逮捕令——他跑了，但我逮住了他。"他轻轻哼了一声，"其实他也伤到我了，我这儿有点，呃，淤青。希望不影响晚餐。"见汉尼拔没有立即回应，他又补充道："现场急救员帮我检查过了。"
"I should think so." He keeps his voice even. Will will undoubtedly respond negatively to anger, even directed at someone else.
"我想也是。"他语气平稳地说道。威尔肯定会对愤怒产生负面反应，即便是针对别人的怒火。
"It's not a big deal, it's part of the job. My nose isn't broken, at least."
"没什么大不了的，工作常态而已。至少我鼻子没断。"
"I am glad." He's aware his fingers are clenched.
"我很高兴。"他意识到自己的手指正紧紧攥着。
"Just went to pick him up for an interview and he made a break for it," Will supplies, "he's in custody now."
"刚去接他做采访，结果他趁机逃跑了，"威尔解释道，"现在已经被拘留了。"
"Good." “很好。”
"And whiskey works as well as aspirin."
"威士忌和阿司匹林一样管用。"
"I'm often told it's more effective," Hannibal muses. "What do you drink, Will? I feel l ought to make sure to have your choice on hand." Will hesitates. Hannibal intervenes. "I know I don't have to. I want to. Tell me."
"常有人告诉我它更有效，"汉尼巴尔沉思道。"你喝什么，威尔？我觉得应该备上你喜欢的酒。"威尔犹豫了。汉尼巴尔插话道："我知道不必问。但我想知道。告诉我吧。"
"Maker's Mark, usually. Sometimes anything will do."
"通常喝美格波本，偶尔随便什么都行。"
"Very well." Hannibal smiles.
"很好。"汉尼拔微笑道。
He hears the clink of ice cubes on the other end of the line. "While we’re on the subject," Will laughs, a touch of sheepishness in his voice.
电话那头传来冰块碰撞的清脆声响。"既然说到这个，"威尔轻笑，声音里带着一丝窘迫。
Hannibal smiles a bit. "Do you drink a lot, Will?"
汉尼拔微微一笑。"你经常喝酒吗，威尔？"
"Is that judgment, Hannibal?"
"这是评判吗，汉尼拔？"
"Just curiosity. I'm quite the oenophile myself."
"只是好奇。我自己也是个葡萄酒爱好者。"
Will barks a laugh. "I just drink a lot."
威尔嗤笑一声。"我只是喝得比较多。"
He could tread carefully, but he's already got him on edge. He opts for empathy instead. "Is it to forget, or to sleep?"
他本可以小心翼翼行事，但对方已然如坐针毡。于是他选择了共情："是为了遗忘，还是为了入眠？"
"Those categories overlap."
"这些类别有所重叠。"
"You have bad dreams." "你做噩梦了。"
"Sometimes." “有时候。”
Hannibal rolls his shoulders, considering.
汉尼拔耸了耸肩，陷入沉思。
Will continues, seeming contrite at his own abruptness. "We’ve discussed this before. I tried therapy, didn't really work for me. Alcohol doesn't, uh, patronize me."
威尔继续说着，对自己刚才的唐突显得懊悔。"我们之前讨论过这个。我试过心理治疗，对我没什么效果。酒精可不会，呃，居高临下地对待我。"
"This is true," Hannibal murmurs. Will is shaping up to be astonishingly stubborn - Hannibal is fascinated by his decisions. "We’ve indeed already established that you know yourself well."
"确实如此，"汉尼拔低语道。威尔正展现出惊人的固执——他的抉择令汉尼拔着迷。"我们早已确认过你非常了解自己。"
"Better than a stranger with a piece of paper, yes."
"总比拿着张纸的陌生人强，是吧。"
Arrogant, too. "Difficult to know when you yourself are without a piece of paper, I imagine."
傲慢至极。"我想，你自己连张纸都没有的时候，确实很难判断。"
Will laughs, a little nastily. "Do we want to go into this together, Doctor?"
威尔笑得有点刻薄。"要一起探讨这个问题吗，医生？"
"I'll hold your hand if you're scared," Hannibal murmurs, amused.
"要是害怕的话，我可以牵着你的手，"汉尼拔低声说道，语气里带着几分戏谑。
"Will you?" "你愿意吗？"
"If you want me to."
"如果你想让我这么做的话。"
Will goes quiet. "At the very least."
威尔沉默片刻。"至少如此。"
Warmth pierces Hannibal in a place he can't name. He looks down at his shoes on the dark wood floor. "Of course, Will."
温暖刺穿了汉尼拔某个无以名状的地方。他低头看着自己踩在深色木地板上的皮鞋。"当然，威尔。"
Will doesn't reply right away. Hannibal can hear him taking a sip of his drink. He wishes he could smell him. See him. Feel him. He's not used to his body making demands of him. He savors it.
威尔没有立即回应。汉尼拔听见他啜饮了一口酒。他多希望能嗅到他的气息。看见他。触碰他。这副躯体鲜少对他提出要求，他细细品味着这份渴望。
"I don't think I've ever met anyone like you in my life," Will says then, voice hesitant even with a few drinks behind it.
"我这辈子从没遇到过像你这样的人，"威尔说道，声音里带着迟疑，即便几杯酒下肚也没能让他完全放松。
"I do feel that I am unique," Hannibal murmurs. "But you are as well."
"我确实觉得自己独一无二，"汉尼拔低语道，"但你也是。"
"Very modest, too," Will chuckles.
"还特别谦虚呢，"威尔轻声笑道。
"Does that offend you?" "这冒犯到你了吗？"
"It doesn't surprise me."
"这并不让我感到意外。"
"I doubt anything does." "我怀疑没什么能让你意外了。"
Another soft sigh. "You have."
又是一声轻柔的叹息。"你做到了。"
"Then my immodesty feels deserved."
"那么我的不谦虚也算理所应当。"
"Hannibal," Will starts. "I wish you were here."
“汉尼拔，”威尔开口，“我希望你在这里。”
He looks down at the address on the counter. His breath comes out more unsteadily than he'd like. "Would you like me to be?"
他低头看向柜台上的地址，呼吸比他自己预想的还要不稳。"你希望我是吗？"
Will's own breath is hardly slow or steady. "I... probably shouldn't have said that." Not a no. It's not a yes, either. "If I let you come, I probably won't let you leave," he adds, belatedly.
威尔的呼吸同样急促不稳。"我……或许不该说那句话。"这不是拒绝。但也不是同意。"如果让你进来，"他顿了顿，迟来地补充道，"我可能不会放你离开。"
Hannibal chooses to ignore the cruder double entendre in favor of its face value. Either way, it's a declaration. "Would you like me to insist on choosing again, Will?"
汉尼拔选择忽略这句粗俗的双关语，只取其表面含义。无论如何，这都是一种宣言。"要我坚持让你再选一次吗，威尔？"
"I asked you to choose, before."
“我之前让你做出选择。”
"And I will now if that's what you want."
“如果你想要，我现在就可以选。”
Will's exhale sounds ragged. "I do want."
威尔的呼气声显得支离破碎。"我想要。"
"I will see you in half an hour," Hannibal tells him firmly.
"半小时后见，"汉尼拔坚定地对他说。
Will breathes out hard again, and Hannibal hears him take another sip of his drink. "Okay."
威尔重重地呼出一口气，汉尼拔听见他又啜饮了一口酒。"好吧。"
"'Til then, Will." “回头见，威尔。”
He hangs up. 他挂断了电话。
*
He's at Will's house inside of twenty minutes rather than thirty, the inky sky lit with a gibbous moon, wreathes of glowing clouds loitering overhead. Hannibal lingers in his car for a second before he gets out and goes to knock on the screen door. It takes Will a moment to answer. When he does, Hannibal has to stare at his face for a few moments, just to take measure of the bruising, across the bridge of Will's nose, the inner corners of his eyes. It's surprisingly fetching on him, regardless.
不到二十分钟他就到了威尔家，而非预计的三十分钟。墨色天幕上挂着一轮凸月，发光的云朵如花环般在头顶徘徊。汉尼拔在车里稍作停留才下车，走向纱门敲门。威尔过了一会儿才应门。当他开门时，汉尼拔不得不盯着他的脸看了片刻——鼻梁和眼角内侧的淤青格外醒目。但出乎意料的是，这些伤痕竟意外地适合他。
"Come in," Will murmurs. He steps back to let Hannibal over the threshold. He casts his gaze around the cottage-style house, dimly lit by a few warm lamps and Will’s laptop open on the coffee table, before his eyes slide swiftly back to Will. He look relaxed, for once, a pale grey t-shirt stretched over his chest and shoulders. "I'd give you the tour, but this is most of it right here."
“进来吧。”威尔低语道，侧身让汉尼拔跨过门槛。汉尼拔的目光扫过这座田园风格的小屋——几盏暖黄的灯朦胧地照亮空间，威尔的笔记本电脑在咖啡桌上摊开着——随后视线迅速落回威尔身上。此刻的威尔罕见地显得放松，苍灰色 T 恤勾勒出胸膛与肩膀的轮廓。“本想带你参观，不过眼前这些就是全部了。”
"It's charming.” Hannibal takes in the slouching bookshelves and threadbare furniture, all clean but well-used. “A lovely example of Creole architecture."
"真迷人。"汉尼拔打量着歪斜的书架和磨旧的家具，虽然干净却明显使用多年。"克里奥尔建筑的绝佳范例。"
"It's messy. I wasn't really expecting -"
"很混乱。我其实没料到——"
"Will. Please." “威尔。求你了。”
His excuses subside, his light eyes flashing from under a tangle of curls. He steps closer to Hannibal now, wringing his hands faintly. "Can I get you a drink?"
他的借口渐渐消停，浅色眼眸从凌乱卷发下闪烁。他此刻朝汉尼拔走近几步，双手微微绞紧。"要喝点什么吗？"
Hannibal follows his every expression almost compulsively. "May I look at your face?"
汉尼拔近乎强迫地追随着他的每一个表情。"我能看看你的脸吗？"
"Before or after the drink?"
"喝酒前还是喝酒后？"
"Before." “从前。”
He stands still and closes his eyes in allowance. Hannibal touches the bridge of his nose gently with his thumbs, feeling for swelling. His skin is warm to the touch. His lashes flutter with a slight flinch.
他静立着，闭眼默许。汉尼拔用拇指轻触他的鼻梁，检查是否有肿胀。指尖下的肌肤温热。他的睫毛因轻微退缩而颤动。
"You are correct," Hannibal murmurs. "Your nose is not broken. Small favors."
"你说得对，"汉尼拔低语道，"你的鼻子没断。真是不幸中的万幸。"
Will opens his eyes, and smiles. He reaches one hand out to snag the hem of Hannibal's waistcoat, hooking a finger inside. "Thank you, Doctor."
威尔睁开双眼，嘴角扬起笑意。他伸手拽住汉尼拔马甲的衣摆，指尖勾进布料内侧。"谢谢你，医生。"
"Think nothing of it. I care very much about your welfare."
“不必放在心上。我非常关心你的福祉。”
"Do you. Why is that again?"
"是吗。这又是为什么？"
"You are my friend." Hannibal eyes him knowingly.
"你是我的朋友。"汉尼拔意味深长地注视着他。
Will bows his lower lip in a thin smile, eyes dropping a little as if he's been stung. He lets his hand drop. "I'll get you that drink."
威尔抿起下唇，露出一个浅淡的微笑，眼帘微微低垂，仿佛被刺痛了一般。他放下手。"我去给你拿那杯酒。"
"Whiskey?" “威士忌？”
"I have beer or cognac if you prefer. Or coffee."
"我有啤酒或白兰地，随你喜好。咖啡也有。"
"Whiskey, please. I'd like to join you."
“威士忌，谢谢。我想和你一起喝。”
Will glances back at him as he walks through to the narrow kitchen. He pours a tumbler out and then brings it back, no polish or pomp, just his little, uncomfortable smile as he offers the glass. Hannibal takes it, curling his other hand around Will's elbow to hold him in place. "Thank you. Shall we sit?"
威尔走向狭窄厨房时回头瞥了他一眼。他倒了一杯酒带回来，没有矫饰或浮夸，只是带着局促不安的浅笑递上玻璃杯。汉尼拔接过酒杯，另一只手环住威尔的手肘将他留住。"谢谢。我们坐下谈？"
"Sure." Will doesn't take his arm away and Hannibal doesn't make him, even when they're sat down. He curls his fingers around Will's forearm instead, bared by the cotton shirt, warm and dusted with fair hair.
"当然。"威尔没有抽回手臂，汉尼拔也没有强迫他，即使当他们坐下时。相反，他的手指缠绕在威尔裸露的前臂上——棉质衬衫袖口卷起的地方，皮肤温暖，覆着一层浅金色的汗毛。
Will looks at him for a few long beats before he turns his arm, exposing the pale inner strip like the tender belly of a snake. His fingers pinch at Hannibal's sleeve gently. "... Thanks for coming."
威尔久久凝视着他，随后转动手臂，露出内侧苍白的肌肤，宛如蛇类柔软的腹部。他的手指轻轻捏住汉尼拔的袖口。"......谢谢你能来。"
"I could never have declined."
"我永远无法拒绝。"
He flinches a bit. "Don't do that. You won't always feel like that."
他微微瑟缩了一下。"别这样。你不会一直这么想的。"
"You don't know that." Will turns his head in a short, sharp shake. Hannibal lets his hand slide down to cup Will's wrist again.
"你并不确定。"威尔猛地一甩头，汉尼拔的手顺势滑下，再次握住了他的手腕。
"I wouldn't lie to you. Any truth that is within my power to tell you, I will."
"我不会对你撒谎。只要是我能告诉你的真相，我都会如实相告。"
"Will you?" "你愿意吗？"
Hannibal nods. Will takes a drink, and then pushes himself away from the back of the couch, angled toward Hannibal with a more intent focus. Hannibal meets his eyes, admiring their expression.
汉尼拔点了点头。威尔喝了一口酒，随后从沙发靠背上直起身子，以更为专注的姿态倾向汉尼拔。汉尼拔迎上他的目光，欣赏着他眼中的神情。
Will leans into him with a frown, visibly expecting a rebuttal. Their noses touch, and Will pauses.
威尔皱着眉头靠向他，明显在等待反驳。他们的鼻尖相碰，威尔顿住了。
Hannibal breathes in. Part of him wants to find Will's lack of build-up repelling. As it is, he's only warmed by his inability to deny himself in this one instance, where in all others he might. Hannibal lets himself be kissed, and savors the heat of it. He suspects the suddenness of the gesture might be borne of desperation. He's not immune to it himself, not with Will's hand finding his chest, fingers curling into the fabric of his waistcoat like he's memorizing every stitch.
汉尼拔深吸一口气。他本应对威尔这般毫无铺垫的举动感到排斥，但此刻却因自己无法拒绝而心生暖意——在其他任何情况下，他或许都能克制。他任由威尔亲吻，细细品味着那份炽热。他猜想这突如其来的举动或许源于某种绝望。他自己也未能幸免，尤其当威尔的手抚上他的胸膛，指尖蜷进马甲布料时，仿佛要将每一针脚都铭刻于心。
Hannibal allows himself to cradle Will's jaw and hold him in place, and Will's answering shiver is tangible. He reaches blindly to set down his drink and brings his cold palm to Hannibal's hair, pressing in closer. It is not unaffecting. Neither is the soft hitch in Will's breath; the warmth of his mouth. Hannibal touches his tongue to the bow of Will's parted lips and devours the soft noise he makes.
汉尼拔放任自己托住威尔的下颌将他固定，威尔随之而来的战栗清晰可触。他摸索着放下酒杯，将冰凉的手掌贴上汉尼拔的发丝，更近地压过来。这并非无动于衷。威尔呼吸间细微的颤抖同样如此；他唇齿间的温热亦然。汉尼拔的舌尖轻触威尔微启的唇弓，将那声柔软的呜咽尽数吞没。
His taste is enticing, as much as his scent and warmth. Hannibal finds himself aware of his body and the way its muscles shift as he leans close. Will seems aware of it too, the hand on his chest rending his shirt a bit, torn between passion and politeness. Mindful of Will’s low threshold for such things, Hannibal gentles him and eases back to look at him.
他的滋味如同他的气息与体温一般诱人。汉尼拔察觉到自己身体的每一寸肌肉都在靠近时绷紧，威尔似乎也注意到了这点，那只抵在他胸前的手将衬衫扯出裂痕，在激情与礼节间挣扎。考虑到威尔对此类事物的承受阈值较低，汉尼拔放轻了动作，稍稍后撤端详他的面容。
Will doesn't meet his gaze. His breaths are quick, cheeks delicately flushed. He looks like nothing so much as a Botticelli like this, all wine-pink lips and dark curls. Shame about the black eyes. Hannibal touches his lower lip with a fingertip, and watches Will's lashes flutter.
威尔没有迎上他的目光。他的呼吸急促，脸颊泛着精致的红晕。此刻的他活脱脱像波提切利笔下的天使，双唇如葡萄酒般嫣红，卷发乌黑。可惜那对黑眼圈破坏了这份美感。汉尼拔用指尖轻触他的下唇，看着威尔的睫毛微微颤动。
"Look at me." Breath hitching, Will does. Uncertainty tints his gaze. "Shall we talk about this?"
"看着我。"威尔呼吸一滞，照做了。他的目光中透着犹疑。"我们该谈谈这个吗？"
"Do we have to?" "我们非得这样吗？"
"I think we ought to. You seem unsure."
"我认为我们应该这么做。你看起来有些犹豫。"
Will sighs and lets his hands drop, rubbing his own face gently. "I'm just worried this is... something I'm pushing, I guess." He picks up his drink, closing his eyes before he takes a sip.
威尔叹了口气，任由双手垂落，轻轻揉了揉自己的脸。"我只是担心这......是我在强求，大概吧。"他拿起酒杯，闭眼抿了一口。
"You cannot read me like one of your... suspects?"
"你没法像读你的...嫌疑人那样读懂我？"
"I can when you let me. You are generally opaque."
"只要你允许，我就能看透。你通常都深不可测。"
"Does that worry you?" "这让你感到不安吗？"
"Uh-" Will looks like he's surprised by the question. He shakes his head. "No, it... No. Either you want me to know or you don't. I can see why transparency can be occasionally uh, hard to give."
“呃——”威尔似乎对这个问题感到意外。他摇摇头。“不，这……不必。要么你想让我知道，要么你不想。我能理解为什么坦诚有时候会……呃，难以给予。”
"And trust?" “还有信任呢？”
"Even harder," Will smiles. He sips his drink, and seems to still himself. "Worrying about my motives, Doctor?"
"更困难了，"威尔微笑道。他啜饮了一口酒，似乎让自己平静下来。"在担心我的动机吗，医生？"
"Just interested." "只是好奇。"
"Just ask me, then." "那就直接问我。"
"Tell me what you want, Will."
"告诉我你想要什么，威尔。"
He lifts his gaze to Hannibal's, voice softened by the drink. He looks like no one has ever asked him that before- or not recently. "I want... You make me feel different. I want to feel different with you."
他抬起目光与汉尼拔对视，酒精让他的声音变得柔软。他看起来像是从未有人这样问过他——或者说，很久没人这样问过了。"我想要……你让我感觉不一样。我想和你在一起时感受这种不同。"
"That's flattering, but not specific."
"这恭维很受用，但不够具体。"
"Specifics are hard to pin down for me."
"具体细节对我来说难以把握。"
"You will allow me to... experiment, then?"
"那么，你允许我...进行实验了？"
Will's eyes flick up again, a flush touching his cheeks. "Whatever you like, Doctor."
威尔的眼帘再次抬起，一抹红晕掠过他的脸颊。"随您喜欢，医生。"
Hannibal allows himself to feel the danger in it, and the pleasure that gives him. He brushes his thumb against Will's cheek, knuckles loose against his jaw.
汉尼拔放任自己感受其中的危险，以及这危险带给他的愉悦。他用拇指轻抚威尔的脸颊，指节松松地抵在他的下颌。
Will closes his eyes at the touch, accent getting leaner again. "I just like you. That's all I know." He's drunk. Or exhausted. Or both. But so unaccountably sweet with it.
威尔在触碰下闭上眼睛，口音又变得轻浅起来。"我只是喜欢你。这就是我所知道的全部。"他醉了。或是精疲力竭。又或者两者兼有。但却莫名地带着一种甜蜜。
"Before, when I called you my friend. Did that hurt you?"
"之前，当我称你为我的朋友时，那让你感到痛苦吗？"
"I thought you might have been setting a limit."
"我以为你可能设定了界限。"
"So you elected to kiss me."
"所以你选择吻我。"
"In case it was to give me an out...." Will trails off. "Do I need to apologize?"
"万一这是给我留的退路……"威尔的声音渐渐低了下去。"我需要道歉吗？"
"No, Will, you don't need to apologize. I wasn't sure how comfortable you'd be with my assumption we were anything more than friends."
"不，威尔，你不需要道歉。我不确定你是否能接受我假设我们不仅仅是朋友的关系。"
"I don't hold my friends' hands." He traces a finger across the backs of Hannibal's knuckles. Hannibal lets their fingers interlock, as natural as anything.
"我不牵朋友的手。"他的指尖划过汉尼拔的指节背面。汉尼拔任由他们的手指交缠，自然得如同呼吸。
"Noted," he says, leaning into him once more. Will makes a soft noise as they kiss this time. The way he chases contact is endlessly appealing. He keeps it up even when the kiss naturally breaks, resting their cheeks together and sighing, murmuring against his mouth.
"知道了，"他说着，再次倾身靠近。这次接吻时威尔发出了一声轻软的鼻音。他追逐触碰的模样有种令人无法抗拒的魅力。即使吻自然结束时他仍不依不饶，将脸颊相贴轻叹着，唇瓣摩挲间溢出低语。
"What do you want, Hannibal?"
“你想要什么，汉尼拔？”
"To be seen." "被看见。"
"You keep saying that." Will tips his chin to kiss him again, and Hannibal barely suppresses a shiver when he licks over his upper lip. "I promise I will."
"你总是这么说。"威尔抬起下巴再次吻他，当舌尖扫过上唇时，汉尼拔几乎抑制不住战栗。"我保证会的。"
Hannibal opens his mouth for Will this time. It's all too easy to accept his weight against him, easing back against the arm of the couch. He touches his flank, feeling the muscle shift. Will seems to be forcing himself to be the aggressor, but it's easy to pull him out of it; to card his hand into his hair and handle him into a more malleable state. It sparks something warm in Hannibal's chest, the way Will relaxes into it gratifying and endearing at once. He cups Hannibal's jaw with one hand and sighs into the kiss.
这一次，汉尼拔为威尔张开了嘴。承受对方压来的重量太过容易，他顺势向后倚在沙发扶手上。指尖抚过侧腹，感受肌肉的起伏。威尔似乎在强迫自己扮演侵略者，但引导他卸下防备很简单——只需将手指插入他发间，就能把这只炸毛的动物捋顺成更温驯的状态。某种暖意从汉尼拔胸腔迸发，当威尔就这样放松下来时，那份满足与怜爱同时击中了他。威尔单手捧住汉尼拔的下颌，在亲吻中逸出一声叹息。
Hannibal combs through his curls and strokes their tongues together. He's pleased at the soft moan it elicits; Will's hands tightening gratefully. The rest of Will is pliable. Hannibal kisses him until they both have to come up for air; until Will's lips are pink and plush and he looks dazed. He reaches for his whiskey again.
汉尼拔梳理着他的卷发，舌尖与之缠绵交叠。听到那声柔软的呻吟令他愉悦；威尔的手指感激地收紧。其余部分都温顺得不可思议。他们唇齿相贴直到双双缺氧才分开，直到威尔的唇瓣泛起嫣红、变得饱满，眼神也开始迷离。他再次伸手去拿威士忌。
Accepting his shoulder under his arm, Hannibal watches him settle as he takes a sip. He offers the glass to Hannibal, and he accepts that, too. He rolls the smoky liquid over his tongue and studies Will's crown.
汉尼拔将肩膀借给他倚靠，看着他啜饮一口后安顿下来。威尔将酒杯递向汉尼拔，他也坦然接受。他让烟熏味的液体在舌尖滚动，目光流连于威尔发旋的弧度。
"You are an expert at hiding it, Will, but I think you might be drunk."
"你很擅长掩饰，威尔，但我想你可能喝醉了。"
Will chuckles softly. "I might be."
威尔轻声笑了笑。“也许吧。”
Hannibal strokes his hair gently. "I take it you've had a bad day, outside your run-in with a fist."
汉尼拔轻轻抚摸着他的头发。"看来你今天过得很糟，除了挨了一拳之外。"
"It just builds up." "只是积压得太多了。"
"What builds up?" "什么积压得太多了？"
"The things I see, the things I do. Sometimes it's just remembering."
"那些我看见的事，我做过的事。有时候仅仅是回忆就让人受不了。"
Hannibal touches under his chin so he can tilt Will's face up to his own, kissing him again. "Is that why you didn't want to be alone tonight?"
汉尼拔轻托他的下巴，让威尔仰起脸来与自己对视，再次吻上他的唇。"所以你今晚才不愿独处？"
"Is that all right?" Will looks vaguely embarrassed.
"这样行吗？"威尔看起来有些局促。
Hannibal soothes him again with the touch of his hand. "Of course. I'm pleased." In all honesty, it's heady to be needed.
汉尼拔再次用手轻抚安抚他。"当然。我很高兴。"说实话，被人需要的感觉令人陶醉。
Will reaches for Hannibal's glass of whiskey now, leaving him with the other. "I'm uh- I don't usually have anyone to ask, I guess."
威尔现在伸手去拿汉尼拔的威士忌酒杯，给他留下了另一杯。"我呃——我想我通常没人可问。"
"Not this friend who enjoys my coffee?"
"这位朋友不也喜欢我的咖啡吗？"
Will looks up, like he's not sure who he means for a second. Not a friend then. "Oh, you mean Beverly. She's my colleague, I've only spoken to her a few times." Hannibal makes a noncommittal noise. Will smiles crookedly. "I probably wouldn't have called my coworker out to come kiss me goodnight, Doctor."
威尔抬起头，似乎一时不确定对方指的是谁。看来不是朋友关系。"哦，你是说贝弗莉。她是我同事，只说过几次话。"汉尼拔发出不置可否的轻哼。威尔歪着嘴笑了笑。"我大概不会叫同事专程过来给我晚安吻的，医生。"
"Oh, is that what I'm doing?"
“哦，我是在这么做吗？”
"Well, unless you're planning to stay."
"除非你打算留下。"
"Perhaps not tonight," Hannibal says softly.
"今晚恐怕不行，"汉尼拔轻声说道。
Will's jaw tenses with disappointment but he visibly fights it, apparently unconsciously. "Of course."
威尔的下巴因失望而绷紧，但他明显在与之对抗，这似乎是无意识的反应。"当然。"
Hannibal's not sure if he realizes he's lying. He marvels at him for a moment longer, trying to let go of the low pulse of arousal that Will has coaxed to life in him. "I don't think it would be wise, tonight, is all. Alcohol and stress are seldom ingredients for success."
汉尼拔不确定他是否意识到自己在说谎。他又多凝视了威尔片刻，试图平息对方在自己体内撩拨起的那阵隐秘悸动。"我认为今晚不太明智，仅此而已。酒精与压力很少能带来好结果。"
Will looks like he wants to laugh again. Hannibal smiles to encourage it into something less desperately hurt. He touches Will's cheek. Will sighs and closes his eyes.
威尔看起来又想笑了。汉尼拔用微笑鼓励他将情绪转化为不那么绝望的痛苦。他轻触威尔的脸颊。威尔叹息着闭上双眼。
"I'm sorry." “对不起。”
"Don't be. We will have other opportunities." Hannibal intends to make them. He stifles Will's attempt to get up. "It's all right. I'm not running out the door. I'm just... drawing the line, for tonight at least."
"不必如此。我们还有别的机会。"汉尼拔打算创造这些机会。他制止了威尔试图起身的动作。"没关系，我不会夺门而出。我只是...划清界限，至少今晚如此。"
That seems to get through. Will closes his eyes and seems, in small part, to relax. Hannibal keeps stroking him. He finds, unexpectedly, that he's happy to do it. At the same time, he's debating regretting his line: if he were feeling reckless, the opportunity to see Will raw and uninhibited would be enough to convince him to change his mind. He suspects Will skirts the line fairly often, for all his withdrawn quietness. Now, he's resting his cheek against Hannibal's shoulder, eyes closed.
这话似乎起了作用。威尔闭上眼睛，似乎稍稍放松了些。汉尼拔继续轻抚着他。出乎意料地，他发现自己很乐意这么做。与此同时，他正为刚才划定的界限感到犹豫：若是放纵些，光是想到能看到威尔毫无保留的模样，就足以让他改变主意。他怀疑尽管威尔性格内敛，但经常游走在放纵边缘。此刻，威尔正闭着眼睛，脸颊靠在他肩头。
"I'm surprised you're single," he mumbles.
“真意外你居然单身，”他咕哝道。
Hannibal smiles to himself. "I'm not."
汉尼拔暗自微笑。"我没有。"
Will jolts a bit at that. He looks momentarily mortified, eyes questioning. "You're not surprised, or you're not single?"
威尔闻言微微一颤，脸上闪过片刻的窘迫，眼神充满疑问。"你是不感到惊讶，还是说你现在并非单身？"
"Surprised," Hannibal says after a short pause.
"惊讶，"汉尼拔短暂停顿后说道。
"Oh, thank god," Will murmurs, and then: "Why?"
“噢，谢天谢地，”威尔低声说道，接着又问：“为什么？”
"I'm aware I am a difficult person," Hannibal says dryly.
"我自知是个难相处的人，"汉尼拔干巴巴地说道。
Will looks at him for a moment like he wants to talk about it, but then he closes his eyes against a yawn. Hannibal can't help but smile. "The whiskey is finally doing its job," he grumbles.
威尔看了他一会儿，似乎想就此说些什么，但随即被一个哈欠打断了。他闭上眼睛，汉尼拔不禁莞尔。"威士忌总算起效了，"威尔嘟囔道。
Hannibal strokes his hair back again, shifting. "Let's get you to bed."
汉尼拔再次抚过他的头发，微微挪动身子。"我们送你上床休息。"
Will frowns but lets himself be helped to his feet. Hannibal makes an egregious attempt to spread his hand around Will's waist where the cotton of his shirt rucks up. Will keeps his arm around his shoulder, footing a little unsteady.
威尔皱眉，但还是任由对方搀扶自己站起来。汉尼拔的手明目张胆地环上他的腰际，棉质衬衫在那里皱成一团。威尔将手臂搭在他肩上，脚步仍有些虚浮。
The bedroom is easy to find, the little shotgun house hallway leading straight back past kitchen and bath. It's meticulously tidy despite the general clutter, and Hannibal pauses to breathe in the overwhelming scent of Will- laundry detergent, soap, clean sweat and drink. He thinks Will would be ashamed to be recognized as such, but he finds something pure in it. If nothing else, Will is honest about who he is.
卧室很容易找到，这座狭长的猎枪式房屋走廊径直向后延伸，经过厨房和浴室。尽管屋内总体杂乱，但卧室却异常整洁。汉尼拔停下脚步，深深吸入充斥着威尔气息的空气——洗衣粉、肥皂、干净的汗水和酒精。他想威尔若知道自己被这样辨识定会感到羞耻，但他却从中嗅到某种纯粹。至少，威尔对自己是谁足够诚实。
"I'm sorry it's such a mess," he murmurs.
“很抱歉这里一团糟，”他低声说道。
Hannibal sighs. "Don't apologize. It’s not." He touches Will's shoulder, and watches him with an indescribable feeling of want in his stomach as he pulls away to pull off his shirt. His libido seems reluctant to come under control this evening. Will glances at him, hovering in the doorway.
汉尼拔叹了口气。"不必道歉。这没什么。"他触碰威尔肩膀时，腹中涌动着难以名状的渴望，随后抽回手脱掉衬衫。今晚他的情欲似乎格外难以克制。威尔在门口徘徊，朝他瞥了一眼。
"Y'know, you can still stay, even if it's just to sleep," he says softly.
"你知道的，你还可以留下来，哪怕只是睡个觉，"他轻声说道。
"You are persistent, Detective," Hannibal tells him.
"你真是执着啊，探员。"汉尼拔对他说道。
Will goes silent, staring at nothing for a second, a shadow of displeasure in the dark room. "I uh, didn't mean to be."
威尔沉默下来，目光空洞地凝视着虚空片刻，昏暗房间里掠过一丝不悦的阴影。"我呃，不是有意的。"
"No?" “不？”
He sees a flash of Will's teeth bared as he turns on the light in the small bathroom and washes his face in the sink. "It was just an offer. Forget it."
他看见威尔转身打开小浴室灯时露出的牙齿，对方正俯身在洗手池前洗脸。“只是个提议。忘了它吧。”
"I'm not sure I wish to."
“我不确定自己是否愿意。”
"You're making this confusing," Will points out, starting to brush his teeth.
"你把事情搞复杂了，"威尔指出，开始刷牙。
"Am I?" He's still watching him, he notes, observing his own desire not to go with curiosity.
"是吗？"汉尼拔仍在注视他，带着好奇观察着自己不愿离去的欲望。
"For one of us." Will rinses his mouth out and comes back into the bedroom, wobbling only a bit as he unzips his pants.
"对我们其中一人来说。"威尔漱完口回到卧室，解裤链时只是微微晃了一下。
Hannibal advances a few steps and takes him by the waist. "Are you really confused, Will, or merely impatient?"
汉尼拔向前几步，揽住他的腰际。"你是真的困惑呢，威尔，还是仅仅缺乏耐心？"
"No, I'm- this isn't a sex thing." Will rubs his face, looking caught. "I mean, it could be, but that's not... I'm not trying to persuade you to stay. I can just see what you want to, and I guess I don't understand why you... aren't."
"不，我是说——这和性无关。"威尔揉着脸，神情局促。"我是说，可以有关，但那不是……我不是在劝你留下。我只是能看出你想要什么，但我不明白为什么你……没有这么做。"
Hannibal flexes his fingers, taking a moment to merely enjoy the give of his flesh. Will leans into it, calming at the touch. He closes his eyes slowly, cheek brushing against Hannibal's again with their closeness.
汉尼拔活动着手指，享受着肌肤相触的弹性触感。威尔顺势贴近，在触碰中平静下来。他缓缓闭上眼睛，因两人距离极近，脸颊再次轻蹭过汉尼拔的面庞。
"Try to understand," Hannibal murmurs.
"试着理解，"汉尼拔低语道。
Will takes a breath. "You don't think you can stay and not touch," he says finally.
威尔深吸一口气。"你觉得留下来却不去触碰，可能吗？"他终于开口。
Hannibal closes his eyes, inclining his head. Emanating reluctance like heat, Will steps away, and shoves his jeans down as he sits on the edge of his mattress, apparently beyond shame now.
汉尼拔闭上双眼，微微颔首。威尔周身散发着抗拒的热度，后退几步坐到床垫边缘，粗暴地扯下牛仔裤，此刻似乎已全然不顾羞耻。
"I understand," he murmurs, shooting Hannibal a half smile. Then he bites his lip. Hannibal would admire the clear mastery of manipulation if it wasn't making his own heart race. He steps closer and lifts the sheets for Will to slide underneath even so. If it's a battle of resolve that Will wants, he will indulge him.
"我明白，"他低声说道，朝汉尼拔露出一个半带笑意的微笑，随后轻咬下唇。若非这举动令自己的心跳加速，汉尼拔本会欣赏这般炉火纯青的操控技巧。即便如此，他仍向前一步，为威尔掀开被单。若这是威尔想要的意志较量，他乐意奉陪。
Lines drawn, Will turns obligingly docile now, settling down curled onto his side. He touches Hannibal's arm gently. "Thanks for coming to check on me."
界限划定后，威尔顺从地安静下来，蜷缩着侧躺。他轻轻触碰汉尼拔的手臂。"谢谢你来看我。"
"Thank you for asking." “谢谢你的关心。”
"Well, you're the only person I could think would make things better," Will murmurs. His eyes drift shut. Hannibal watches him for a few long seconds, not sure what he's feeling. When it's clear that Will is truly asleep, he moves to turn off the light and, after a final brush of fingers through Will’s unruly hair, shut the door. He's still not sure which side of it he wants to be on, but he makes himself walk back to the kitchen; look around for a moment and soak in Will's environment.
“你是我唯一能想到能让事情好转的人，”威尔低声呢喃，眼帘缓缓阖上。汉尼拔凝视他良久，难以辨明心中翻涌的情绪。确认威尔已沉入梦乡后，他伸手关掉台灯，指尖最后掠过对方蓬乱的鬈发，轻轻带上了房门。他仍不确定自己究竟想站在门的哪一侧，却强迫自己走向厨房，驻足环顾，让威尔的生存气息浸透每一寸感官。
He wants to see every corner of it, so he does, opening drawers, cupboards, the refrigerator. He's struck by the emptiness of the place. A collection of dog-eared books, several forensics texts and files piled next to the laptop on the coffee table. Like someone moved out and forgot their belongings. Even the furniture looks like it mostly came with the rental. Hannibal touches over the dusty bookshelves, fingers searching. They catch an edge, and he pulls the photo out to look, worn and faded.
他想窥探这里的每一寸角落，于是便付诸行动——拉开抽屉、橱柜，甚至冰箱。这地方的荒芜感令他惊异。几本卷边的旧书，几册法医教材和文件堆在咖啡桌上的笔记本电脑旁，活像有人搬离时遗忘了私人物品。连家具都像是租房时配套的。汉尼拔的手指拂过积灰的书架，突然触到某处边缘。他抽出那张泛黄褪色的照片，在掌心细细端详。
It's unmistakably Will with his father. He's perhaps ten years old. They're on a boat surrounded by fishing gear. Even in the photo, neither of them are smiling. Hannibal's fingers travel over the image of Will, his heart full of knowing then, too. He looks an anxious child. Hannibal imagines him, lonesome and talking to imaginary friends, growing into an isolated young man. The thought is unexpectedly painful. He’s crippled for a moment by the desire to put the photo in his pocket; to keep it there with the linoleum knife. Instead, he tucks it back where he found it, but it stays in his memory.
那毫无疑问是威尔和他父亲。他大约十岁左右。他们在一艘船上，周围堆满了渔具。即使在照片里，两人也都没有笑容。汉尼拔的手指抚过威尔的影像，心中同样充满了然。那是个神情焦虑的孩子。汉尼拔想象着他孤独地与幻想中的朋友交谈，逐渐长成孤僻的年轻人。这个念头意外地令人心痛。有那么一瞬间，他几乎克制不住想把照片塞进口袋的冲动——和那把油毡刀放在一起。最终他还是将照片放回原处，但那个画面已深深刻进记忆。
Curiosity satisfied for now, Hannibal grabs a pad from the fridge and writes Will a note for the morning. From the state of him, he will undoubtedly have questions- or concerns- about the night's transgressions. It's an attempt to be kind that he might not ordinarily make. He sticks it to the coffee machine, takes one last look around, and then leaves. He forces himself to keep his step even. Even so, part of him stays with Will, still and quiet in the dark. He's aware the rest of him wants to stay as well, but Hannibal can occasionally be ruthless with himself.
好奇心暂时得到满足后，汉尼拔从冰箱上取下便签本，给威尔留了张晨间便条。以威尔目前的状态，他无疑会对昨晚的越界行为产生疑问——或是忧虑。这种体贴之举本非他惯常所为。他将便条贴在咖啡机上，最后环顾四周，随后离去。他强迫自己保持步伐平稳。即便如此，他的一部分仍留在黑暗中静止不动的威尔身边。他清楚自己其余的部分也想留下，但汉尼拔偶尔对自己也能狠下心来。
He drives home in the listless dark, and when he's in the quiet of his study he takes out his paper and charcoals and draws Will as he sees him every time he closes his eyes. He loses hours to the drawing, but it grounds him in the moment and in his own body. By the time he's finished, the sky is getting pale on the horizon. He takes himself to bed, head still full. Friday seems impossibly distant.
他驱车驶入倦怠的夜色归家，当书房陷入寂静时，他取出画纸与炭笔，描绘着每次闭眼都会浮现的威尔。素描吞噬了数小时光阴，却将他锚定在此刻与这副躯壳之中。完成画作时，天际已泛起鱼肚白。他躺上床榻，脑海中仍翻涌不息。星期五遥远得近乎虚幻。