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would LOOVE to read your darker fics, your writing is so amazing and i just know they’re just as good as the stuff you post here. there would definitely be a market for it!
omg i am so grateful there are people like you in fandom who are supportive of writers exploring themes that exist in the show!! i feel i should preface with: these are very different from my regular fics on my main account so please be aware of that. i don't want anyone to read something they'll be uncomfortable with. these are like 'game-of-thrones-level-dark.'
disclaimer: i don't condone anything that happens in these fics! these are works of fiction. these fics explore some themes implied in the show, but on a much deeper and visceral level. be sure to read all the tags and warnings. i've listed them as thoroughly as possible. if you get to a point where you need to back out, please do for your own comfort and mental well-being. if you don't like dark fics, don't read these fics.
adding this important disclaimer / explanation about dark fics / dark content here for those who haven't read it yet.
my two fics are linked down below under the cut! i'll be locking these fics later tonight because of the recent AI scraping, so from then on, only registered users will be able to access my fics. i'm sorry to all my lovely guest readers. if you want to make an account, it shouldn't take long at all, only a few weeks to wait for the invitation. if anyone leaves a comment, i'll gobble it up like a chocolate chip cookie and would be so grateful because comments on darker fics are rare. <3
Vulnerable Hannibal Fic Rec List
Updated 4/14/2025 with one new addition located at the bottom of the page! A few of these fics are mine, but the rest are some of my favorite fics I've ever read that feature vulnerable Hannibal in various seasons, AUs, and post-canon.
shrike (to your sharp and glorious thorn):
Will begins to notice a change in Hannibal's behavior post-fall. He's become something akin to a fretting housewife.
The Ache Against The Wind (Rewritten):
3x13 AU: Will travels into an alternate dimension after plunging into the Atlantic and is confronted with the unexpected aftermath following the removal of Hannibal's toilet in the BSHCI.
Pareidolia:
Six weeks post-fall, Hannibal suffers from a seizure during dinner.
Je Te Laisserai Des Mots:
Six months have passed since Will pulled them over the cliff. Even in light of their progressing relationship, much of Hannibal still remains a mystery to Will. For reasons unknown, he’s begun to pull away. (A sequel to Shrike--my housewife Hannibal fic!)
Between The Hour Of Reprieve:
At the cliff house, Hannibal receives a much-needed-hug.
A Cabin In The Woods by KoolJack1:
Hannibal is thirteen and runs away from the orphanage when he feels that a fate of the elements will be better than the fate of abuse. He finds a small cabin in the woods, thinking warmth will be all he finds. He also finds Will. But who changes who?
this is absolutely amazing. i've never read an AU quite like this. a true masterpiece.
Recipricol Alchemy by Scifibabe:
In the silent echoes of his dreams, Will Graham treads a line blurred between control and chaos, each step drawing him inexorably towards claiming Hannibal as his own. It's a perilous dance on the edge of darkness, where the thrill of possession whispers of a transformation too profound to resist.
one of my faves. i can't even describe how perfect this explores their season 2 dynamic. such a unique trajectory and i am living for it.
Hold Me, Don’t Let Me Go by sourweather:
It's a few months after the Fall when it finally hits him. Hannibal has barely been touched in 3 years. And Will won't let it go on for another moment.
so precious omg. love it
Hosanna In The Highest by sainthannibal:
During the fall, Hannibal receives the brunt of the injuries, which leaves him unable to care for himself. Will discovers how much he enjoys taking care of him.
the post-fall whump is immaculate 🤧 love it
You Made Me Soup by itsybitsylemonsqueezy:
Hannibal comes down with pneumonia while incarcerated. Will decides to make him some soup. Absolutely no one thinks it's strange that Will comes to give his ex soup when he finds out he's sick. No one at all finds this suspicious. At. All.
god, i love this one so much. sick hannibal being hand-fed in the BSHCI? wailing my heart out
The Boy Under The Monster’s Bed by Wr4tttttthh:
There were deep wounds that needed healing, new and old, physical and otherwise.
one of my faves. Will finding Hannibal hiding under the table? a gut punch 😭
Delicate Ghost by hannigramcracker & TimmyJayBird:
She was different- not the ghost of his memories, but something about this bloodied child ripped right at Hannibal's chest, and left him drowning in a cold snow he thought he had left in his childhood, that he had locked away within his skull. Drowning, with only one hand to grasp at, one body to cling to. One man to work him through the trauma and remind him what life was.
so amazing. a unique perspective of how Will would deal with Hannibal becoming distressed while on a case together. one of the first vulnerable hannibal fics i've ever read 🥺
You With Those Nails, Me With This Cross by TheBitterKitten:
Will goes too far.
wailing into my pillow omg this had the perfect amount of angst.
The Distance Is Quite Simply Much Too Far For Me To Row by softhan:
Hannibal is having a rough time recovering from his injuries post-fall, and retreats into himself to avoid confrontation with Will while he's still weak and ill. Having to play happy husbands hardly helps.
my all time fave Hannibal whump fic. the way he's scared Will is disgusted by his accident? eternally sobbing. forever recommending this to anyone who is searching through this rec list.
Silk and Lace by jonnimir:
Bedelia leaves Hannibal and Will a gift at the house on the cliff.
crying because this was so tender and sweet. touch-starved hannibal at the cliff house. chef's kiss.
Not So Fast by scifibabe:
Hannibal wakes from a heated dream with a need that can’t be ignored—and Will, half-asleep but all too eager, is more than happy to help. What begins as a midnight indulgence quickly spirals into an overwhelming game of push and pull, as Will’s relentless appetite pushes Hannibal to the edge and beyond. Kinktober Day 10: Overstimulation + Face-Sitting
desperate and needy hannibal. need i say more? loved it 🤭
Hush Now by scifibabe:
What starts as Will stitching up Hannibal's latest hunting injury turns into something else entirely when a teasing "let Daddy take care of you" slips out. It's meant to be a joke--until Hannibal's reaction tells a different story. One playful push leads to another, and soon enough, they're both realizing they might be into this a little more than they expected. Kinktober Day 19: Fisting.
I truly cannot recommend Hush Now enough! It'll live rent free in my mind and heart for the rest of my life ♡
The Antidote To Grief by incidentsofunkownorigins:
On Will's idea, they visit Mischa's grave. What Will had hoped to be a healing moment of closure breaks something in Hannibal and he is the only one who can put the pieces back together.
this is such a beautiful take on Hannibal and Will visiting Lithuania together and how that would impact Hannibal. ♡
Pulse Point:
Post-Fall, an injured Hannibal awakes from an erotic dream, desperate and needy, aching for Will's touch.
Marveling at a Spoon by scifibabe:
After a gourmet dinner, Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter decide to indulge in something a little more... pedestrian—a joint. As the smoke settles and their usual control begins to loosen, Hannibal finds himself experiencing a sensation he never expected: a heightened sensitivity that unravels him under Will’s teasing touch. What starts as a curious experiment in relaxation quickly turns into a surprising discovery, one that leaves even the meticulous Hannibal completely undone. Will is all too eager to take advantage of his newfound knowledge, and Hannibal, for once, is too overwhelmed to resist.
god, i loved this so much.
We Are Now Among The Ruins by ADeedWithoutAName:
Hannibal survived the fall, but not unchanged. He intends to give Will the only gift he now can, and Will intends to honor him in the only way that matters.
i rarely read MCD, but this one is so worth the pain. i am eternally sobbing from this 😭 i also cannot recommend this one enough!!
Something Sacred by scifibabe:
In the quiet aftermath of their survival, silence has taken hold. Hannibal hasn't spoken since the night they washed ashore, his voice swallowed by their shared trauma. Will, haunted by the absence of words and the weight of unspoken things, has learned to reach Hannibal through touch, through the quiet rituals of care. When the strain of Hannibal’s pain becomes too much to hide, Will draws a bath—an unspoken offer of comfort. But today is different. Today, beneath the surface of familiar rituals, something stirs. As the warmth of the water surrounds them, walls begin to crack, and a fragile trust, once guarded so fiercely, blooms into something more intimate and vulnerable than either of them anticipated. In the quiet steam of the bath, two men find solace in each other’s arms, where tenderness can no longer be ignored.
this was so beautiful and soft omg. forever wailing about Hannibal asking Will to join him in the bath. ♡
A Pinch Of Salt In The Wound:
Renderered mute and bedbound post-fall, Hannibal begins to spiral.
You Believe Me Like A God:
Hannibal becomes severely injured post-episode 3x13.
compimento by cervviidae:
Hannibal learns what it's like to be Will's husband.
one of the most beautiful fics i've ever read that explore post-fall hannibal being loved with genuine tenderness and affection by Will. one i'll forever recommend.
Solace In Being Heard by air_of_the_Waterfall:
Hannibal is having terrible nightmares, and Will comes up with a rather unexpected method of helping him get a full night’s sleep.
i love that this offers such a unique look into Hannibal's childhood trauma and how it would impact his sleep. can't recommend it enough!
Bright Burn by Shotgun_sinner:
Hannibal suffers life-threatening injuries post-fall. Will makes decisions to save Hannibal, while trying to recover the life with him that he's only just realized he wanted. How far will he go to keep what's his?
the whump is immaculate in this post-fall fic too 🤧
crave, then succumb:
Hannibal receives a second hug post-fall, while high as a kite on morphine, and ends up unraveling in Will's arms.
chimera of the chapel by bleakmidwinter:
When Will Graham wakes up from a coma three months after the fall, Jack reveals that Hannibal Lecter didn't survive. Outside the realm of Hannibal's influence, Will decides to discover the full truth behind the world's sudden and seeming falsehood. Everybody seems to hold their own opinion on Hannibal's fate, but Will knows better than anyone that trust and honesty are as elusive as death.
incredible. i can't even express how much i loved this. the tender moments and development of their relationship is so beautiful 😭♥️
Keep Me Warm by nbcravenstag:
Will arrives home after walking through a blizzard, fully expecting an angry husband, but instead finds a traumatized little boy, terrified of the cold and haunted by what he's already lost.
the hurt/comfort in this was amazing. love it so much.
Beauty Not Needed Here by kralbellen:
“I know you are in love with me.”
It's not a question but not fully a statement either. A certain amount of doubt colores Will's tone, giving the sentence a nervous lilt.
Hannibal's first instinct is to deny it, in some half-hearted, last effort at self-preservation. He almost smiles – there is no self-preservation left for him when it comes to Will.
Hannibal is asexual. this was so tender and sweet. eternally wailing into my pillow. as someone who's ace this was like a breath of fresh air.
O Holy Night by memequeen1127:
Hannibal gazes at him right back, smiling as if he knows exactly what Will’s thinking. And considering how they know each other inside and out, he very well might.
“Merry Christmas, Will,” he says softly.
Will smiles. “Merry Christmas, Hannibal.”
the sweetest oneshot i've ever read. Hannibal regresses during Christmas and Will is so patient and caring. wailing about this until the end of time 😭🩵
The Perception Of Reality Through Language by Angelic_Disaster:
Hannibal can recognize the factors of trauma in others but not in himself. That's why he denies that there is a reason why he doesn't speak Lithuanian.
sobbing at this for eternity. Will speaking to Hannibal in Lithuanian and then Hannibal breaks down in his arms?? i couldn't ask for anything more beautiful than that in a fic.
Living With A Ghost Of Summer by itsbeautiful:
Based on a requested prompt. Where Will is an idiot, ahem, I mean Will loves Hannibal and tries to surprise him by making a home cooked meal using dishes from Lithuania. Fails spectacularly to lie his way out of it and everything goes horribly wrong. And then they cuddle. The end.
one of my favorites. Will cooks Lithuanian food for Hannibal, who ends up becoming an emotional mess.
Know Me See Me by incidentsofunknownorigins:
On the way to the cliff house, Will makes a decision for himself. Once they get there, he acts on it. But he finds Hannibal is much more deeply broken by his stay at the BSHCI than either of them realized. This time Will must put the teacup back together.
the premise of this fic is something i've been searching for and craving to read for so, so long (eternity, basically) because there can never be enough cliff house fics that explore Hannibal being touch-starved and vulnerable and dealing with the effects of being isolated for three long years. ♡
between here and there by hannigramized:
Will's name is the last word Hannibal spoke in his presence. That was two months ago, directly after the fall, and Hannibal has not said a single word since. Now Will has to navigate through their lives together without Hannibal's voice to guide him.
love this so much! it's the most amazing mute!Hannibal fic i've ever read.
Take Me The Way I Am by Thinminted:
Will didn’t miss Molly, not really, but he occasionally missed who he was when he was with her.
A story about learning to trust your partner with all of yourself.
a very beautiful exploration of Hannibal and Will's developing relationship post-fall.
èclair by cerviidae:
Hannibal touches dough instead of skin. Hannibal is kissed by the feeling of flour on his lips, accidental and impersonal, instead of by the mouth of the man he loves. Three years in confinement had starved him, and now, though his body is healed, his soul remains ravenous. He cleans most of what he can of the whipped cream, scooping it back into another piping bag as he wills himself not to be irrational about this. This mess, this imperfection—it means nothing at all.
amazing post-fall fic about Hannibal's insecurity about being enough to satisfy Will in everyday life and also explores their developing physical relationship and how Hannibal's touch-starved state would have an impact on that. so beautiful. genuinely left me speechless.
Home Is Not A Place by shotgun_sinner:
Post-Fall, Hannibal recovers from his injuries. Will takes care of him, and their relationship evolves much more easily than Hannibal thought it would. The only issue is that Will is a constant presence, and he hasn't had alone time in three years. It ends up not being an issue at all.
one of the first post-fall fics i remember reading years ago that touched on Hannibal's touch-starved state and i've been hooked on that trope ever since lol. always a fave to re-read from time to time.
and the first time that you kissed me, i drank dry the River Lethe by cerviidae:
“Would you like me to come over?”
Silence stretches between them, taut and trembling. Then, the faintest sound—a throat clicking, a breath stalling. Hannibal can already see the war in Will's mind, the reasons she is telling herself not to accept. The burden she is convincing herself she must not be. Hannibal does not give her the chance to refuse.
“I would not mind.” A pause. A breath.
Then, finally, “Yes.”
*this is not a fic focusing on Hannibal's vulnerability, but it is one of my new favorites i've come across.* it's a genderswap AU of an exploration into their physical relationship. Hannibal and Will are both desperate to satisfy the other and it is so tender. this may be hands down the most beautiful smut fic i've ever read?!
earl grey and honey by cerviidae:
Will’s tenderness is a constant. And what a gift it is. Will conjures summer itself through sheer will, as though he could pull Hannibal out of winter’s grasp and set him down in a field of green and gold. Hannibal knows nothing of the ache of bones any longer. His days are filled with cooking and cleaning, the motions of care and love. He kneads dough with his mother’s frantic energy, channels her restless hands into feeding Will, keeping him full. And Will, in turn, keeps him warm. It is love.
any time i read anything by this author, i know i'm about to be wailing my heart out. this is incredible and so lovely.
Verisimilitude by becks:
Will Graham can't believe it when they tell him Hannibal Lecter's dead.
Good. He shouldn't.
(Or: An experimental lobotomy and its unanticipated aftermath.)
i remember reading this years ago and it was so incredible! i've never read a fic with this plot and it was executed perfectly. the end of the last chapter? an absolute masterpiece. i was on the edge of my seat. it's incomplete, but i hope one day the author returns to this fic because it's one of my favorite ever and such a unique exploration of Hannibal and Will's relationship.
Saint Valentine by cerviidae:
Vampire Hannibal Lecter learns what it’s like to love and be loved.
Y'ALL I HAVE NEVER BEEN MOVED TO TEARS BY MORE THAN ONE OTHER FIC. BUT THIS ONE??? I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF READING THIS RIGHT NOW AND I'M GENUINELY ABOUT TO WEEP, BLINKING BACK TEARS BECAUSE THIS IS SO STUNNING AND TENDER AND EVOCATIVE. might also be the fact that i'm listening to Hozier at the same time lol. I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS ENOUGH. VAMPIRE HANNIBAL BEING LOVED BY WILL SO THOROUGHLY THAT HE'S MOVED TO TEARS?? PERFECTION!! 😭🩷
i don't want to set the world on fire by cerviidae:
Will and Hannibal celebrate Valentine's Day stranded in a fire lookout tower
everyone, go read this asap because it is the most unique and beautiful and perfectly orchestrated exploration of their post-fall dynamic i've ever read. Hannibal's longing for Will in this is so palpable and the desperation he shows for Will when their relationship turns physical? ABSOLUTELY EXQUISITE AND HEARTWRENCHING!! i quite literally just finished reading this and damn was it stunning. still wiping tears from my eyes 😭
i have loved you in a tame way & i have loved you wild by cerviidae:
Will tells himself it don’t matter that he’s got company for this job, tells himself he don’t mind having the kid around, even if it does feel off. He knows he can’t afford to be picky—not in this kind of work, where jobs are hard enough to come by. And maybe if the boy’s just gonna keep ignoring him, they won’t have to cross paths all that much. He’s fine with that. Easier to keep his head down, get through the summer without any trouble. They won’t see each other.
Out of sight, out of mind.
-or-
A Hannibal fic inspired by Brokeback Mountain
Y'ALL, GO READ THIS RIGHT NOW because it contains mute Hannibal and it is one of the most beautiful AU explorations of their relationship i've ever read. chapter 9 in particular made me ugly cry. Will helping Hannibal try to learn to speak again was so unexpected (and i've never seen that happen in a fic before??) also, the progression of Will's struggle with his sexuality and eventually accepting himself and his feelings for Hannibal is so, so beautiful and raw and real. Will treats Hannibal so lovingly in this fic and whenever Hannibal's vulnerability is at the forefront, it never fails to make me weep.
wring me of all the blood i shall bleed:
Post-Fall, Will is growing more and more distant by the day. Hannibal, on the other hand, is unwilling to speak—be it a result of brain damage or a self-imposed state of mutism. Life on the run is as peaceful as it can be. Until Will enters a new relationship in an effort to stem the curious glances and endless questions from the locals.
Lithuanian Words:
Will is trying to find Hannibal to consult with him on a case. He finds Hannibal drunk into an emotional stupor in his study, speaking in a language Will doesn't understand. Filled for a prompt on the Hannibal kinkmeme. Hurt/comfort.
omg this was the very first vulnerable Hannibal fic i read years ago and i can't believe i found it again?!! god i love this so much because Hannibal regresses to speaking Lithuanian when Will stops by (and it's so rare to see in season 1/season 2 fics).
Chiaroscuro by anhthr:
Will carefully adjusted the sling over Hannibal's shoulder, fingers lingering on his skin, sensing when that perfunctory touch transformed into something more profound. The source of this change was nearly impossible to discern. Feeling the genesis of something while being blind to its root was as relieving as it was destabilizing– much like faith.
Hannibal’s gaze fell to the gentle pressure of Will’s fingers as they glided down his arm, casting a wistful look.
"Will your care stem from the same thread as your forgiveness?” Hannibal murmured, his voice cracking from disuse.
omg this post-fall fic is so incredible and beautifully written.
it takes two to burn (it takes one match) by chaplinesque:
Achilles wanted all Greeks to die, for him and Patroclus. His Will wanted to take Patroclus and himself from the Greeks.
or
Hannibal and Will post-fall, where imprisonment affected Hannibal more than either of them thought.
omg the angst and whump in this is perfect, y'all
Guide Me Through Morass, My Love:
Post-Fall. Hannibal wakes up in the Republic of Ireland with amnesia, and is mentally 18 years-old. He finds himself stowed away in a cottage bordered by farmland with a man who knows him intimately—a man by the name of Will. Falling in love and losing one's virginity beneath the scorching sun is not at all intentional, but it feels akin to being revived and bound into new skin—a rebirth.
Guide Me Through Morass, My Love
Post-Fall. Hannibal wakes up in the Republic of Ireland with amnesia, and is mentally 18 years-old. He finds himself stowed away in a cottage bordered by farmland with a man who knows him intimately—a man by the name of Will. Falling in love and losing one's virginity beneath the scorching sun is not at all intentional, but it feels akin to being revived and bared and bound into new skin—a rebirth.
Here is chapter one of my newest fic (a two parter)!
Je Te Laisserai Des Mots --Chapter 4 -- (Hannibal regresses at the cliff house)
Here is the new chapter where Hannibal regresses! ohmygod I cannot believe it became 8k words (almost 9k), but I hope y'all enjoy it! Please make sure to read the content warnings in the author's note of chapter 4 because it is very different than anything I've ever written before. Enjoy <3
How do we feel about Hannibal regressing at the cliff house because he's so overwhelmed with being in Will's presence once again?
Because I'm already 6k words deep into writing a fic about it 😭 I've never taken this long to write a fic before (started in late January), but I think I might be cooking something up
Hannibal is breathless--precome welling around the catheter in ceaseless beadings. He's soaking Will's gloves--cock pulsing and stiffening with each abrupt shift of Will's wrist. He's lying on an inflatable air mattress in a cramped tent. He knows a catheter is necessary and would not mind it under any other circumstance. But it's dizzying to have Will insert it--movements as cautious as can be--murmuring soothing sounds as if Hannibal is a distressed stray in agony instead of whimpering through sharp waves of pleasure. He's leaking. He knows. He can't resist a pitifully needy thrust--body seeking friction on its own--something molten and torturously good spears into the very depths of Hannibal's cock--a pleasure unknown. He can't even think to stifle a voice-cracking moan. His toes and fingers curl in response, sweaty against the sheets. Opening his eyes is an impossible feat. He waits for the inevitable--for Will's gloved hand to retreat--for Will to recoil in discomfort. He feels a shocked breath stutter through a wail as fingers curl around his cock with intent--with breath stealing warmth--with a tender confidence--and begin to stroke--while the tubing of the catheter twists (slow and careful yet enough to wrench another tearful cry from straining lungs).
Will presses a kiss to Hannibal's kneecap, whispering gentle words of encouragement. He doesn't last long--pulsing and sweating and trembling. He can't last long at all--not when Will says "come on, cher, you're almost there."
Post-Fall Hannibal being so touch-starved that in the middle of having a catheter inserted every shred of composure snaps--and whimpering and thrusting up into Will's gloved hand is all Hannibal can do. Hannibal experiencing sounding via a catheter would slay in a fic. I have it halfway written, but maybe I'll finish it one day 🤭
rebirth (explicit, 1.4k words)
Post-Fall, Hannibal needs Will's assistance to relearn how to perform even the most natural of tasks (such as reaching orgasm) after suffering from brain damage and amnesia.
y'all! i made some edits to my previous ramble and added some scrumptious additions about Hannibal's overactive cowper's glands 🤭 and made it into a more concise tiny little ficlet to have a home on AO3! might be my shortest one yet, but it was very fun <3
Will being reminded time and time again Hannibal is only human post-fall. This turned into word vomit because I just typed to my little heart's content so the ending is a bit rushed lol. It ain't a formal fic. Just a little post-fall blurb.
They're standing underneath the shower head, warm water trickling down. Will is holding Hannibal by the waist--keeping his weak body steady and upright--because Hannibal is unbalanced due to a high dosage of pain medication. It's Hannibal's first shower after the stitches from his healing gunshot wound were removed. There's only a shower in this motel room--not a bathtub. Will knows Hannibal's been dying to bathe properly for weeks instead of the unsatisfying sponge baths.
Hannibal is washing shampoo through each gray strand, removing built up grease from his scalp when every finger steadily begins to slow and comes to a complete halt. Will is worried something's wrong--maybe Hannibal strained something while raising both hands over his head. Hannibal is barely breathing. Will leans in and peers over Hannibal's shoulder. Heat is creeping into Hannibal's cheeks. Hannibal's cock is half-hard and stiffening by the second.
Will is shocked--but not at all surprised. He doesn't recall having ever given Hannibal a moment of privacy besides using the toilet. He knows Hannibal is touch starved and can't be at fault for such an involuntary reaction. Fingers stroke gentle circles against Hannibal's waist. "Rinse your hair. It's gonna get in your eyes and burn like hell." He knows Hannibal's brain damaged mind needs gentle reminders on occasion--even for basic steps such as washing one's hair. He knows Hannibal is relearning mundane tasks. He knows. He is patient through it all even when it comes as a shock that Hannibal still needs reminders for everyday things--that Hannibal could forget how to perform a single task--that Hannibal depends on Will.
Hannibal's nearly finished rinsing his hair and his fingers begin to tremble and his feet slide along the shower floor as if it's becoming uncomfortable to remain still.
Will knows what needs to happen and wonders if Hannibal is waiting for permission--permission Hannibal doesn't need yet still seems to search for, even if stuck in a perpetual state of mutism. He knows Hannibal is shy in searching for guidance--that fact never ceases to shock Will. "Take care of yourself." He waits for a long stretch of time for something to happen--for Hannibal's hands to move. But they only remain curled in Hannibal's hair, shaking as much as the rest of Hannibal's body. Then, it dawns on Will.
Embarrassment is not the reason for Hannibal's refusal. He simply doesn't remember what to do or understand what Will means. It's a fine motor skill issue and an amnesia issue. Hannibal's cheek burns Will's lips where a gentle kiss is placed upon wet and flushing skin.
"It's okay if you don't remember how, darlin', I know you've been doing your best." Will's hands move from Hannibal's waist toward Hannibal's stomach. He rubs over the soft, subtle swell of Hannibal's stomach. Giving Hannibal time to adapt to skin to skin contact after enduring three long years without a single affectionate touch. He knows it feels foreign, especially because of Hannibal's brain damage and amnesia. Hannibal awoke one month ago--confused--terrified even if attempting not to show it--because Hannibal's last unfractured memories were of being in France. Dim. Faded. Not Fresh. He keeps each touch slow and gentle, allowing Hannibal's touch starved body unrushed moments to adjust.
Hannibal's untouched cock is stiff and leaking and twitching in response to every caress of Will's hands along Hannibal's stomach. Hannibal's breathing is shallow. Hannibal's eyes are clenched shut. Will understands now. Hannibal must've been a virgin at this stage in life--a killer--but never granted anyone the chance to touch. Hannibal is aching--throbbing--barely able to contain a rising whine as trembling fingers betray him, clinging to one of Will's forearms. He trusts Will and only Will. Even though it's taken a long time for Hannibal's distrust to melt away.
Will understands in all reality Hannibal is a decade older. But Hannibal's current state of mind is only 19 years old. Will wouldn't ever dare to speak such a statement under another circumstance. But this version of Hannibal is sweet in rare moments when not attempting to ward off the world beneath a stone cold exterior--one not yet perfected--one with easily discovered fractures Will is unable to ignore after knowing Hannibal for so long. He whispers the single phrase that comes to mind. Right next to Hannibal's ear. "Do you need my help, sweet boy?"
Will can tell Hannibal is trying to fight it: the shock, the trembling gasp twisting an undignified whimper threatening claw its way forth, the small and pitiful abortive thrust--pitching forward into empty air. It comes to Will easily as if a second nature buried deep and forgotten. He soothes Hannibal's breathless whimper with a kiss against a soaking wet temple. "Easy, baby, I'll take care of you," Will whispers and curls a calloused palm around Hannibal's cock. A frail and wobbling moan erupts from Hannibal's mouth--shattered and hoarse and needy. Hannibal's other hand claws at the wall for balance. Will's grasp is gentle (unyielding yet nearly lax) as Hannibal's overwhelmed body struggles to find its rhythm in wake of such a foreign sensation--of such jaw-dropping pleasure. He knows it must feel like Hannibal's first time ever approaching orgasm due to brain damage and amnesia. Hannibal's feet are damn near slipping and Will loops an arm around Hannibal's waist. "You don't have to rush. Find your pace, sweet boy."
Echoing off the tiled walls are Hannibal's whimpers and moans--thin and ruined from rusted vocal cords. Hannibal's head is tipped back and leaning against Will's shoulder. He sobs a wordless plea once Will begins taking over with a sure and steady fist--spurring long-awaited friction around Hannibal's neglected cock.
Will can barely keep Hannibal upright because of how erratic Hannibal's shifting is becoming: sharp, unpracticed thrusts desperate to meet each stroke as if this sensation is entirely new and deeply craved--and pressing back against Will's clothed cock--Will wore boxers for Hannibal's comfort. He can't resist thrusting in response, burning with a mirrored need. He knows Hannibal is close: with nails digging into skin, with nails clawing at the walls, with thighs trembling, with knees threatening to buckle, with a rising stream of needy, breathless cries cresting into the air, with each swift twist of a wrist, with each murmur of praise breathed against Hannibal's ear. Hannibal's voice cracks on each unraveling wail--strained and wet with tears of overwhelm. He knows Hannibal's cheeks are soaking in fresh tears along with water from the shower head. Hannibal's chest is heaving bright with a flush--sinking in and filling with each ragged breath. He swirls a thumb around Hannibal's nipple--and again and again--when Hannibal's pulsing cock twitches in response--when Hannibal's sobs cease to be audible in wake of a toe-curling climax.
Will guides Hannibal through those dizzying, mind numbing moments. He presses endless kisses to Hannibal's jaw and cheek and temple. He climaxes soon after, a deep moan spilling forth. He cradles Hannibal, who's trembling and gasping through the aftershocks. He guides Hannibal out of the shower and into a clean set of pajamas. He showers quickly and steps out of the bathroom.
Hannibal is staring up at Will, eyes glassy and cheeks still warmed with a blush. He tentatively reaches out. He wants to be held. Will knows.
Thinking of combining my two favorite tropes together. Housewife Hannibal + insecure, emotional Hannibal experiencing release for the first time in three years and Will being there to witness it.
Let me set the scene: Will comes home to the unanticipated sight of Hannibal resting in the backyard hammock, cock half-hard, sun-sapped complexion a touch sunburnt. He seems to have slept through dinner preparations, entirely accidental—a first—not even close to a disappointment in Will's opinion.
Imagine Hannibal and Will's first time occurring on a hammock in their backyard beneath the sun midafternoon. Soon, the hammock is creaking and swaying, and Hannibal's bare ass is burning from the hammock's friction. He's sobbing and writhing because Will is gobbling his ass up like it's banana pudding, opening him up and pressing featherlight kisses against his cock every now and then.
(ALSO, TO THROW A LITTLE PINCH OF HANNIBAL'S INSECURITY IN HERE: imagine if moments prior, Hannibal was feeling insecure once Will finally removed his underwear because he hasn't had access to a razor in three years and it's genuinely a whole shrub down there. Hannibal's mind short circuits when Will says something like: "There ain't nothing wrong with a little hair, darlin'." and kisses him, deep and gentle, savoring his breathless whine, before diving in).
He's whimpering, breathless and trembling, and it's only been a few minutes. He isn't able to last much longer because he's so touch starved even though he wants to (out of embarrassment, out of the want to satisfy Will), and Will knows this. Will pauses when Hannibal's voice rasps through higher pitched, helpless moans, a sound so thin and wrapped in ruin it's nearly inaudible. But Will knows what's bound to happen, can recognize it in the twitch of Hannibal's thighs and the sound of fingernails scraping against the hammock from where they're pinned down by Will's own hands, thumbs stroking reassurance into Hannibal's trembling hands.
Will presses a kiss to Hannibal's right inner thigh and scrotum, where it's full and sensitive and sweaty (also sorry if 'sweaty' is gross, but come on, y'all, they're outside in Cuba 😭), and another sob falls from Hannibal's slack-jawed mouth. Tears are encrusted in Hannibal's wilting lashes, and Will thinks he's never looked more beautiful bathed golden in the ever shifting swatches of sunlight, cheeks flushed and chest heaving for air. Will can tell it's too much, too fast, too mind numbingly good for Hannibal to handle as touch starved as his body's become.
Will curls a hand around Hannibal's cock and whispers: "Let go, darlin', you don't have to hold out for me," and Hannibal busts a nut for the first time in three years. Bonus points if Hannibal passes out because it's hot outside and he's so overwhelmed (and he's in his fifties let's be real) and then Will rushes to dampen a rag with cold water and grabs three water bottles in a panic. Hannibal is only unresponsive for a few minutes, but it feels like a nerve-fraying eternity for Will, who's wiped his overheated body down with the cloth and shoved cold compresses (like frozen bags of peas or something because it's all they have at the moment) between his armpits, on his chest and in between his legs to cool him down. Hannibal's cock is softened, twitching in shock when he awakes moments later with a rising whimper, eyelids remaining closed.
It's cold--everywhere. That's all Hannibal knows. Will runs a hand through Hannibal's hair, murmuring reassuring words when it's clear he's unable to open his eyes just yet. Will carries Hannibal inside, placing him on the couch. Hannibal's cheeks are flushed, deeper than the result of a simple light sunburn, and Will knows he must feel mortified, embarrassed beyond belief. Will doesn't let it fester: Hannibal's shame that he's left Will unsatisfied, neglected, because Will never finished. Instead Will says: "It's all right, darlin', you'll have more than enough chances to make up for it." Even though there's no need to make up for it, because it isn't a failure in Will's eyes as it is in Hannibal's, knowing he can drive Hannibal to such a state with only his mouth.
*takes a bow* end scene
Hey I know this isn’t exactly along the guidelines but… Hannibal realizing he’s transfem after the fall. He and will could both have their becomings together!
omg that is so sweet "having both of their becomings together" 😭🩵 curling up in a ball and wailing (/positive). tysm for submitting a prompt!! i'm tucking it into my future fic folder <3
to anyone reading this: *begging on my hands and knees and batting my lashes at you*
please please please send me Hannigram prompts if you have any ideas you want written!!! vulnerable Hannibal is my niche at this point, but i'm also trying to branch out into more casual pwp or domestic bliss themes as well if those are of interest to you. btw there are no guidelines you have to stick to for submitting a prompt. i'm open to writing anything! smut prompts are perfectly fine too (and something i really, really want to practice writing more of as an ace author).
Vulnerable Hannibal Fic Rec List
Updated 3/23/2025 with one new addition located at the bottom of the page! A few of these fics are mine, but the rest are some of my favorite fics I've ever read that feature vulnerable Hannibal in various seasons, AUs, and post-canon.
shrike (to your sharp and glorious thorn):
Will begins to notice a change in Hannibal's behavior post-fall. He's become something akin to a fretting housewife.
The Ache Against The Wind (Rewritten):
3x13 AU: Will travels into an alternate dimension after plunging into the Atlantic and is confronted with the unexpected aftermath following the removal of Hannibal's toilet in the BSHCI.
Pareidolia:
Six weeks post-fall, Hannibal suffers from a seizure during dinner.
Je Te Laisserai Des Mots:
Six months have passed since Will pulled them over the cliff. Even in light of their progressing relationship, much of Hannibal still remains a mystery to Will. For reasons unknown, he’s begun to pull away. (A sequel to Shrike--my housewife Hannibal fic!)
Between The Hour Of Reprieve:
At the cliff house, Hannibal receives a much-needed-hug.
A Cabin In The Woods by KoolJack1:
Hannibal is thirteen and runs away from the orphanage when he feels that a fate of the elements will be better than the fate of abuse. He finds a small cabin in the woods, thinking warmth will be all he finds. He also finds Will. But who changes who?
this is absolutely amazing. i've never read an AU quite like this. a true masterpiece.
Recipricol Alchemy by Scifibabe:
In the silent echoes of his dreams, Will Graham treads a line blurred between control and chaos, each step drawing him inexorably towards claiming Hannibal as his own. It's a perilous dance on the edge of darkness, where the thrill of possession whispers of a transformation too profound to resist.
one of my faves. i can't even describe how perfect this explores their season 2 dynamic. such a unique trajectory and i am living for it.
Hold Me, Don’t Let Me Go by sourweather:
It's a few months after the Fall when it finally hits him. Hannibal has barely been touched in 3 years. And Will won't let it go on for another moment.
so precious omg. love it
Hosanna In The Highest by sainthannibal:
During the fall, Hannibal receives the brunt of the injuries, which leaves him unable to care for himself. Will discovers how much he enjoys taking care of him.
the post-fall whump is immaculate 🤧 love it
You Made Me Soup by itsybitsylemonsqueezy:
Hannibal comes down with pneumonia while incarcerated. Will decides to make him some soup. Absolutely no one thinks it's strange that Will comes to give his ex soup when he finds out he's sick. No one at all finds this suspicious. At. All.
god, i love this one so much. sick hannibal being hand-fed in the BSHCI? wailing my heart out
The Boy Under The Monster’s Bed by Wr4tttttthh:
There were deep wounds that needed healing, new and old, physical and otherwise.
one of my faves. Will finding Hannibal hiding under the table? a gut punch 😭
Delicate Ghost by hannigramcracker & TimmyJayBird:
She was different- not the ghost of his memories, but something about this bloodied child ripped right at Hannibal's chest, and left him drowning in a cold snow he thought he had left in his childhood, that he had locked away within his skull. Drowning, with only one hand to grasp at, one body to cling to. One man to work him through the trauma and remind him what life was.
so amazing. a unique perspective of how Will would deal with Hannibal becoming distressed while on a case together. one of the first vulnerable hannibal fics i've ever read 🥺
You With Those Nails, Me With This Cross by TheBitterKitten:
Will goes too far.
wailing into my pillow omg this had the perfect amount of angst.
The Distance Is Quite Simply Much Too Far For Me To Row by softhan:
Hannibal is having a rough time recovering from his injuries post-fall, and retreats into himself to avoid confrontation with Will while he's still weak and ill. Having to play happy husbands hardly helps.
my all time fave Hannibal whump fic. the way he's scared Will is disgusted by his accident? eternally sobbing. forever recommending this to anyone who is searching through this rec list.
Silk and Lace by jonnimir:
Bedelia leaves Hannibal and Will a gift at the house on the cliff.
crying because this was so tender and sweet. touch-starved hannibal at the cliff house. chef's kiss.
Not So Fast by scifibabe:
Hannibal wakes from a heated dream with a need that can’t be ignored—and Will, half-asleep but all too eager, is more than happy to help. What begins as a midnight indulgence quickly spirals into an overwhelming game of push and pull, as Will’s relentless appetite pushes Hannibal to the edge and beyond. Kinktober Day 10: Overstimulation + Face-Sitting
desperate and needy hannibal. need i say more? loved it 🤭
Hush Now by scifibabe:
What starts as Will stitching up Hannibal's latest hunting injury turns into something else entirely when a teasing "let Daddy take care of you" slips out. It's meant to be a joke--until Hannibal's reaction tells a different story. One playful push leads to another, and soon enough, they're both realizing they might be into this a little more than they expected. Kinktober Day 19: Fisting.
I truly cannot recommend Hush Now enough! It'll live rent free in my mind and heart for the rest of my life ♡
The Antidote To Grief by incidentsofunkownorigins:
On Will's idea, they visit Mischa's grave. What Will had hoped to be a healing moment of closure breaks something in Hannibal and he is the only one who can put the pieces back together.
this is such a beautiful take on Hannibal and Will visiting Lithuania together and how that would impact Hannibal. ♡
Pulse Point:
Post-Fall, an injured Hannibal awakes from an erotic dream, desperate and needy, aching for Will's touch.
Marveling at a Spoon by scifibabe:
After a gourmet dinner, Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter decide to indulge in something a little more... pedestrian—a joint. As the smoke settles and their usual control begins to loosen, Hannibal finds himself experiencing a sensation he never expected: a heightened sensitivity that unravels him under Will’s teasing touch. What starts as a curious experiment in relaxation quickly turns into a surprising discovery, one that leaves even the meticulous Hannibal completely undone. Will is all too eager to take advantage of his newfound knowledge, and Hannibal, for once, is too overwhelmed to resist.
god, i loved this so much.
We Are Now Among The Ruins by ADeedWithoutAName:
Hannibal survived the fall, but not unchanged. He intends to give Will the only gift he now can, and Will intends to honor him in the only way that matters.
i rarely read MCD, but this one is so worth the pain. i am eternally sobbing from this 😭 i also cannot recommend this one enough!!
Something Sacred by scifibabe:
In the quiet aftermath of their survival, silence has taken hold. Hannibal hasn't spoken since the night they washed ashore, his voice swallowed by their shared trauma. Will, haunted by the absence of words and the weight of unspoken things, has learned to reach Hannibal through touch, through the quiet rituals of care. When the strain of Hannibal’s pain becomes too much to hide, Will draws a bath—an unspoken offer of comfort. But today is different. Today, beneath the surface of familiar rituals, something stirs. As the warmth of the water surrounds them, walls begin to crack, and a fragile trust, once guarded so fiercely, blooms into something more intimate and vulnerable than either of them anticipated. In the quiet steam of the bath, two men find solace in each other’s arms, where tenderness can no longer be ignored.
this was so beautiful and soft omg. forever wailing about Hannibal asking Will to join him in the bath. ♡
A Pinch Of Salt In The Wound:
Renderered mute and bedbound post-fall, Hannibal begins to spiral.
You Believe Me Like A God:
Hannibal becomes severely injured post-episode 3x13.
compimento by cervviidae:
Hannibal learns what it's like to be Will's husband.
one of the most beautiful fics i've ever read that explore post-fall hannibal being loved with genuine tenderness and affection by Will. one i'll forever recommend.
Solace In Being Heard by air_of_the_Waterfall:
Hannibal is having terrible nightmares, and Will comes up with a rather unexpected method of helping him get a full night’s sleep.
i love that this offers such a unique look into Hannibal's childhood trauma and how it would impact his sleep. can't recommend it enough!
Bright Burn by Shotgun_sinner:
Hannibal suffers life-threatening injuries post-fall. Will makes decisions to save Hannibal, while trying to recover the life with him that he's only just realized he wanted. How far will he go to keep what's his?
the whump is immaculate in this post-fall fic too 🤧
crave, then succumb:
Hannibal receives a second hug post-fall, while high as a kite on morphine, and ends up unraveling in Will's arms.
chimera of the chapel by bleakmidwinter:
When Will Graham wakes up from a coma three months after the fall, Jack reveals that Hannibal Lecter didn't survive. Outside the realm of Hannibal's influence, Will decides to discover the full truth behind the world's sudden and seeming falsehood. Everybody seems to hold their own opinion on Hannibal's fate, but Will knows better than anyone that trust and honesty are as elusive as death.
incredible. i can't even express how much i loved this. the tender moments and development of their relationship is so beautiful 😭♥️
Keep Me Warm by nbcravenstag:
Will arrives home after walking through a blizzard, fully expecting an angry husband, but instead finds a traumatized little boy, terrified of the cold and haunted by what he's already lost.
the hurt/comfort in this was amazing. love it so much.
Beauty Not Needed Here by kralbellen:
“I know you are in love with me.”
It's not a question but not fully a statement either. A certain amount of doubt colores Will's tone, giving the sentence a nervous lilt.
Hannibal's first instinct is to deny it, in some half-hearted, last effort at self-preservation. He almost smiles – there is no self-preservation left for him when it comes to Will.
Hannibal is asexual. this was so tender and sweet. eternally wailing into my pillow. as someone who's ace this was like a breath of fresh air.
O Holy Night by memequeen1127:
Hannibal gazes at him right back, smiling as if he knows exactly what Will’s thinking. And considering how they know each other inside and out, he very well might.
“Merry Christmas, Will,” he says softly.
Will smiles. “Merry Christmas, Hannibal.”
the sweetest oneshot i've ever read. Hannibal regresses during Christmas and Will is so patient and caring. wailing about this until the end of time 😭🩵
The Perception Of Reality Through Language by Angelic_Disaster:
Hannibal can recognize the factors of trauma in others but not in himself. That's why he denies that there is a reason why he doesn't speak Lithuanian.
sobbing at this for eternity. Will speaking to Hannibal in Lithuanian and then Hannibal breaks down in his arms?? i couldn't ask for anything more beautiful than that in a fic.
Living With A Ghost Of Summer by itsbeautiful:
Based on a requested prompt. Where Will is an idiot, ahem, I mean Will loves Hannibal and tries to surprise him by making a home cooked meal using dishes from Lithuania. Fails spectacularly to lie his way out of it and everything goes horribly wrong. And then they cuddle. The end.
one of my favorites. Will cooks Lithuanian food for Hannibal, who ends up becoming an emotional mess.
Know Me See Me by incidentsofunknownorigins:
On the way to the cliff house, Will makes a decision for himself. Once they get there, he acts on it. But he finds Hannibal is much more deeply broken by his stay at the BSHCI than either of them realized. This time Will must put the teacup back together.
the premise of this fic is something i've been searching for and craving to read for so, so long (eternity, basically) because there can never be enough cliff house fics that explore Hannibal being touch-starved and vulnerable and dealing with the effects of being isolated for three long years. ♡
between here and there by hannigramized:
Will's name is the last word Hannibal spoke in his presence. That was two months ago, directly after the fall, and Hannibal has not said a single word since. Now Will has to navigate through their lives together without Hannibal's voice to guide him.
love this so much! it's the most amazing mute!Hannibal fic i've ever read.
Take Me The Way I Am by Thinminted:
Will didn’t miss Molly, not really, but he occasionally missed who he was when he was with her.
A story about learning to trust your partner with all of yourself.
a very beautiful exploration of Hannibal and Will's developing relationship post-fall.
èclair by cerviidae:
Hannibal touches dough instead of skin. Hannibal is kissed by the feeling of flour on his lips, accidental and impersonal, instead of by the mouth of the man he loves. Three years in confinement had starved him, and now, though his body is healed, his soul remains ravenous. He cleans most of what he can of the whipped cream, scooping it back into another piping bag as he wills himself not to be irrational about this. This mess, this imperfection—it means nothing at all.
amazing post-fall fic about Hannibal's insecurity about being enough to satisfy Will in everyday life and also explores their developing physical relationship and how Hannibal's touch-starved state would have an impact on that. so beautiful. genuinely left me speechless.
Home Is Not A Place by shotgun_sinner:
Post-Fall, Hannibal recovers from his injuries. Will takes care of him, and their relationship evolves much more easily than Hannibal thought it would. The only issue is that Will is a constant presence, and he hasn't had alone time in three years. It ends up not being an issue at all.
one of the first post-fall fics i remember reading years ago that touched on Hannibal's touch-starved state and i've been hooked on that trope ever since lol. always a fave to re-read from time to time.
and the first time that you kissed me, i drank dry the River Lethe by cerviidae:
“Would you like me to come over?”
Silence stretches between them, taut and trembling. Then, the faintest sound—a throat clicking, a breath stalling. Hannibal can already see the war in Will's mind, the reasons she is telling herself not to accept. The burden she is convincing herself she must not be. Hannibal does not give her the chance to refuse.
“I would not mind.” A pause. A breath.
Then, finally, “Yes.”
*this is not a fic focusing on Hannibal's vulnerability, but it is one of my new favorites i've come across.* it's a genderswap AU of an exploration into their physical relationship. Hannibal and Will are both desperate to satisfy the other and it is so tender. this may be hands down the most beautiful smut fic i've ever read?!
earl grey and honey by cerviidae:
Will’s tenderness is a constant. And what a gift it is. Will conjures summer itself through sheer will, as though he could pull Hannibal out of winter’s grasp and set him down in a field of green and gold. Hannibal knows nothing of the ache of bones any longer. His days are filled with cooking and cleaning, the motions of care and love. He kneads dough with his mother’s frantic energy, channels her restless hands into feeding Will, keeping him full. And Will, in turn, keeps him warm. It is love.
any time i read anything by this author, i know i'm about to be wailing my heart out. this is incredible and so lovely.
Verisimilitude by becks:
Will Graham can't believe it when they tell him Hannibal Lecter's dead.
Good. He shouldn't.
(Or: An experimental lobotomy and its unanticipated aftermath.)
i remember reading this years ago and it was so incredible! i've never read a fic with this plot and it was executed perfectly. the end of the last chapter? an absolute masterpiece. i was on the edge of my seat. it's incomplete, but i hope one day the author returns to this fic because it's one of my favorite ever and such a unique exploration of Hannibal and Will's relationship.
Saint Valentine by cerviidae:
Vampire Hannibal Lecter learns what it’s like to love and be loved.
Y'ALL I HAVE NEVER BEEN MOVED TO TEARS BY MORE THAN ONE OTHER FIC. BUT THIS ONE??? I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF READING THIS RIGHT NOW AND I'M GENUINELY ABOUT TO WEEP, BLINKING BACK TEARS BECAUSE THIS IS SO STUNNING AND TENDER AND EVOCATIVE. might also be the fact that i'm listening to Hozier at the same time lol. I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS ENOUGH. VAMPIRE HANNIBAL BEING LOVED BY WILL SO THOROUGHLY THAT HE'S MOVED TO TEARS?? PERFECTION!! 😭🩷
i don't want to set the world on fire by cerviidae:
Will and Hannibal celebrate Valentine's Day stranded in a fire lookout tower
everyone, go read this asap because it is the most unique and beautiful and perfectly orchestrated exploration of their post-fall dynamic i've ever read. Hannibal's longing for Will in this is so palpable and the desperation he shows for Will when their relationship turns physical? ABSOLUTELY EXQUISITE AND HEARTWRENCHING!! i quite literally just finished reading this and damn was it stunning. still wiping tears from my eyes 😭
i have loved you in a tame way & i have loved you wild by cerviidae:
Will tells himself it don’t matter that he’s got company for this job, tells himself he don’t mind having the kid around, even if it does feel off. He knows he can’t afford to be picky—not in this kind of work, where jobs are hard enough to come by. And maybe if the boy’s just gonna keep ignoring him, they won’t have to cross paths all that much. He’s fine with that. Easier to keep his head down, get through the summer without any trouble. They won’t see each other.
Out of sight, out of mind.
-or-
A Hannibal fic inspired by Brokeback Mountain
Y'ALL, GO READ THIS RIGHT NOW because it contains mute Hannibal and it is one of the most beautiful AU explorations of their relationship i've ever read. chapter 9 in particular made me ugly cry. Will helping Hannibal try to learn to speak again was so unexpected (and i've never seen that happen in a fic before??) also, the progression of Will's struggle with his sexuality and eventually accepting himself and his feelings for Hannibal is so, so beautiful and raw and real. Will treats Hannibal so lovingly in this fic and whenever Hannibal's vulnerability is at the forefront, it never fails to make me weep.
wring me of all the blood i shall bleed:
Post-Fall, Will is growing more and more distant by the day. Hannibal, on the other hand, is unwilling to speak—be it a result of brain damage or a self-imposed state of mutism. Life on the run is as peaceful as it can be. Until Will enters a new relationship in an effort to stem the curious glances and endless questions from the locals.
Lithuanian Words:
Will is trying to find Hannibal to consult with him on a case. He finds Hannibal drunk into an emotional stupor in his study, speaking in a language Will doesn't understand. Filled for a prompt on the Hannibal kinkmeme. Hurt/comfort.
omg this was the very first vulnerable Hannibal fic i read years ago and i can't believe i found it again?!! god i love this so much because Hannibal regresses to speaking Lithuanian when Will stops by (and it's so rare to see in season 1/season 2 fics).
Vulnerable Hannibal Fic Rec List
Updated 3/12/2025 with two new additions located at the bottom of the page! A few of these fics are mine, but the rest are some of my favorite fics I've ever read that feature vulnerable Hannibal in various seasons, AUs, and post-canon.
shrike (to your sharp and glorious thorn):
Will begins to notice a change in Hannibal's behavior post-fall. He's become something akin to a fretting housewife.
The Ache Against The Wind (Rewritten):
3x13 AU: Will travels into an alternate dimension after plunging into the Atlantic and is confronted with the unexpected aftermath following the removal of Hannibal's toilet in the BSHCI.
Pareidolia:
Six weeks post-fall, Hannibal suffers from a seizure during dinner.
Je Te Laisserai Des Mots:
Six months have passed since Will pulled them over the cliff. Even in light of their progressing relationship, much of Hannibal still remains a mystery to Will. For reasons unknown, he’s begun to pull away. (A sequel to Shrike--my housewife Hannibal fic!)
Between The Hour Of Reprieve:
At the cliff house, Hannibal receives a much-needed-hug.
A Cabin In The Woods by KoolJack1:
Hannibal is thirteen and runs away from the orphanage when he feels that a fate of the elements will be better than the fate of abuse. He finds a small cabin in the woods, thinking warmth will be all he finds. He also finds Will. But who changes who?
this is absolutely amazing. i've never read an AU quite like this. a true masterpiece.
Recipricol Alchemy by Scifibabe:
In the silent echoes of his dreams, Will Graham treads a line blurred between control and chaos, each step drawing him inexorably towards claiming Hannibal as his own. It's a perilous dance on the edge of darkness, where the thrill of possession whispers of a transformation too profound to resist.
one of my faves. i can't even describe how perfect this explores their season 2 dynamic. such a unique trajectory and i am living for it.
Hold Me, Don’t Let Me Go by sourweather:
It's a few months after the Fall when it finally hits him. Hannibal has barely been touched in 3 years. And Will won't let it go on for another moment.
so precious omg. love it
Hosanna In The Highest by sainthannibal:
During the fall, Hannibal receives the brunt of the injuries, which leaves him unable to care for himself. Will discovers how much he enjoys taking care of him.
the post-fall whump is immaculate 🤧 love it
You Made Me Soup by itsybitsylemonsqueezy:
Hannibal comes down with pneumonia while incarcerated. Will decides to make him some soup. Absolutely no one thinks it's strange that Will comes to give his ex soup when he finds out he's sick. No one at all finds this suspicious. At. All.
god, i love this one so much. sick hannibal being hand-fed in the BSHCI? wailing my heart out
The Boy Under The Monster’s Bed by Wr4tttttthh:
There were deep wounds that needed healing, new and old, physical and otherwise.
one of my faves. Will finding Hannibal hiding under the table? a gut punch 😭
Delicate Ghost by hannigramcracker & TimmyJayBird:
She was different- not the ghost of his memories, but something about this bloodied child ripped right at Hannibal's chest, and left him drowning in a cold snow he thought he had left in his childhood, that he had locked away within his skull. Drowning, with only one hand to grasp at, one body to cling to. One man to work him through the trauma and remind him what life was.
so amazing. a unique perspective of how Will would deal with Hannibal becoming distressed while on a case together. one of the first vulnerable hannibal fics i've ever read 🥺
You With Those Nails, Me With This Cross by TheBitterKitten:
Will goes too far.
wailing into my pillow omg this had the perfect amount of angst.
The Distance Is Quite Simply Much Too Far For Me To Row by softhan:
Hannibal is having a rough time recovering from his injuries post-fall, and retreats into himself to avoid confrontation with Will while he's still weak and ill. Having to play happy husbands hardly helps.
my all time fave Hannibal whump fic. the way he's scared Will is disgusted by his accident? eternally sobbing. forever recommending this to anyone who is searching through this rec list.
Silk and Lace by jonnimir:
Bedelia leaves Hannibal and Will a gift at the house on the cliff.
crying because this was so tender and sweet. touch-starved hannibal at the cliff house. chef's kiss.
Not So Fast by scifibabe:
Hannibal wakes from a heated dream with a need that can’t be ignored—and Will, half-asleep but all too eager, is more than happy to help. What begins as a midnight indulgence quickly spirals into an overwhelming game of push and pull, as Will’s relentless appetite pushes Hannibal to the edge and beyond. Kinktober Day 10: Overstimulation + Face-Sitting
desperate and needy hannibal. need i say more? loved it 🤭
Hush Now by scifibabe:
What starts as Will stitching up Hannibal's latest hunting injury turns into something else entirely when a teasing "let Daddy take care of you" slips out. It's meant to be a joke--until Hannibal's reaction tells a different story. One playful push leads to another, and soon enough, they're both realizing they might be into this a little more than they expected. Kinktober Day 19: Fisting.
I truly cannot recommend Hush Now enough! It'll live rent free in my mind and heart for the rest of my life ♡
The Antidote To Grief by incidentsofunkownorigins:
On Will's idea, they visit Mischa's grave. What Will had hoped to be a healing moment of closure breaks something in Hannibal and he is the only one who can put the pieces back together.
this is such a beautiful take on Hannibal and Will visiting Lithuania together and how that would impact Hannibal. ♡
Pulse Point:
Post-Fall, an injured Hannibal awakes from an erotic dream, desperate and needy, aching for Will's touch.
Marveling at a Spoon by scifibabe:
After a gourmet dinner, Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter decide to indulge in something a little more... pedestrian—a joint. As the smoke settles and their usual control begins to loosen, Hannibal finds himself experiencing a sensation he never expected: a heightened sensitivity that unravels him under Will’s teasing touch. What starts as a curious experiment in relaxation quickly turns into a surprising discovery, one that leaves even the meticulous Hannibal completely undone. Will is all too eager to take advantage of his newfound knowledge, and Hannibal, for once, is too overwhelmed to resist.
god, i loved this so much.
We Are Now Among The Ruins by ADeedWithoutAName:
Hannibal survived the fall, but not unchanged. He intends to give Will the only gift he now can, and Will intends to honor him in the only way that matters.
i rarely read MCD, but this one is so worth the pain. i am eternally sobbing from this 😭 i also cannot recommend this one enough!!
Something Sacred by scifibabe:
In the quiet aftermath of their survival, silence has taken hold. Hannibal hasn't spoken since the night they washed ashore, his voice swallowed by their shared trauma. Will, haunted by the absence of words and the weight of unspoken things, has learned to reach Hannibal through touch, through the quiet rituals of care. When the strain of Hannibal’s pain becomes too much to hide, Will draws a bath—an unspoken offer of comfort. But today is different. Today, beneath the surface of familiar rituals, something stirs. As the warmth of the water surrounds them, walls begin to crack, and a fragile trust, once guarded so fiercely, blooms into something more intimate and vulnerable than either of them anticipated. In the quiet steam of the bath, two men find solace in each other’s arms, where tenderness can no longer be ignored.
this was so beautiful and soft omg. forever wailing about Hannibal asking Will to join him in the bath. ♡
A Pinch Of Salt In The Wound:
Renderered mute and bedbound post-fall, Hannibal begins to spiral.
You Believe Me Like A God:
Hannibal becomes severely injured post-episode 3x13.
compimento by cervviidae:
Hannibal learns what it's like to be Will's husband.
one of the most beautiful fics i've ever read that explore post-fall hannibal being loved with genuine tenderness and affection by Will. one i'll forever recommend.
Solace In Being Heard by air_of_the_Waterfall:
Hannibal is having terrible nightmares, and Will comes up with a rather unexpected method of helping him get a full night’s sleep.
i love that this offers such a unique look into Hannibal's childhood trauma and how it would impact his sleep. can't recommend it enough!
Bright Burn by Shotgun_sinner:
Hannibal suffers life-threatening injuries post-fall. Will makes decisions to save Hannibal, while trying to recover the life with him that he's only just realized he wanted. How far will he go to keep what's his?
the whump is immaculate in this post-fall fic too 🤧
crave, then succumb:
Hannibal receives a second hug post-fall, while high as a kite on morphine, and ends up unraveling in Will's arms.
chimera of the chapel by bleakmidwinter:
When Will Graham wakes up from a coma three months after the fall, Jack reveals that Hannibal Lecter didn't survive. Outside the realm of Hannibal's influence, Will decides to discover the full truth behind the world's sudden and seeming falsehood. Everybody seems to hold their own opinion on Hannibal's fate, but Will knows better than anyone that trust and honesty are as elusive as death.
incredible. i can't even express how much i loved this. the tender moments and development of their relationship is so beautiful 😭♥️
Keep Me Warm by nbcravenstag:
Will arrives home after walking through a blizzard, fully expecting an angry husband, but instead finds a traumatized little boy, terrified of the cold and haunted by what he's already lost.
the hurt/comfort in this was amazing. love it so much.
Beauty Not Needed Here by kralbellen:
“I know you are in love with me.”
It's not a question but not fully a statement either. A certain amount of doubt colores Will's tone, giving the sentence a nervous lilt.
Hannibal's first instinct is to deny it, in some half-hearted, last effort at self-preservation. He almost smiles – there is no self-preservation left for him when it comes to Will.
Hannibal is asexual. this was so tender and sweet. eternally wailing into my pillow. as someone who's ace this was like a breath of fresh air.
O Holy Night by memequeen1127:
Hannibal gazes at him right back, smiling as if he knows exactly what Will’s thinking. And considering how they know each other inside and out, he very well might.
“Merry Christmas, Will,” he says softly.
Will smiles. “Merry Christmas, Hannibal.”
the sweetest oneshot i've ever read. Hannibal regresses during Christmas and Will is so patient and caring. wailing about this until the end of time 😭🩵
The Perception Of Reality Through Language by Angelic_Disaster:
Hannibal can recognize the factors of trauma in others but not in himself. That's why he denies that there is a reason why he doesn't speak Lithuanian.
sobbing at this for eternity. Will speaking to Hannibal in Lithuanian and then Hannibal breaks down in his arms?? i couldn't ask for anything more beautiful than that in a fic.
Living With A Ghost Of Summer by itsbeautiful:
Based on a requested prompt. Where Will is an idiot, ahem, I mean Will loves Hannibal and tries to surprise him by making a home cooked meal using dishes from Lithuania. Fails spectacularly to lie his way out of it and everything goes horribly wrong. And then they cuddle. The end.
one of my favorites. Will cooks Lithuanian food for Hannibal, who ends up becoming an emotional mess.
Know Me See Me by incidentsofunknownorigins:
On the way to the cliff house, Will makes a decision for himself. Once they get there, he acts on it. But he finds Hannibal is much more deeply broken by his stay at the BSHCI than either of them realized. This time Will must put the teacup back together.
the premise of this fic is something i've been searching for and craving to read for so, so long (eternity, basically) because there can never be enough cliff house fics that explore Hannibal being touch-starved and vulnerable and dealing with the effects of being isolated for three long years. ♡
between here and there by hannigramized:
Will's name is the last word Hannibal spoke in his presence. That was two months ago, directly after the fall, and Hannibal has not said a single word since. Now Will has to navigate through their lives together without Hannibal's voice to guide him.
love this so much! it's the most amazing mute!Hannibal fic i've ever read.
Take Me The Way I Am by Thinminted:
Will didn’t miss Molly, not really, but he occasionally missed who he was when he was with her.
A story about learning to trust your partner with all of yourself.
a very beautiful exploration of Hannibal and Will's developing relationship post-fall.
èclair by cerviidae:
Hannibal touches dough instead of skin. Hannibal is kissed by the feeling of flour on his lips, accidental and impersonal, instead of by the mouth of the man he loves. Three years in confinement had starved him, and now, though his body is healed, his soul remains ravenous. He cleans most of what he can of the whipped cream, scooping it back into another piping bag as he wills himself not to be irrational about this. This mess, this imperfection—it means nothing at all.
amazing post-fall fic about Hannibal's insecurity about being enough to satisfy Will in everyday life and also explores their developing physical relationship and how Hannibal's touch-starved state would have an impact on that. so beautiful. genuinely left me speechless.
Home Is Not A Place by shotgun_sinner:
Post-Fall, Hannibal recovers from his injuries. Will takes care of him, and their relationship evolves much more easily than Hannibal thought it would. The only issue is that Will is a constant presence, and he hasn't had alone time in three years. It ends up not being an issue at all.
one of the first post-fall fics i remember reading years ago that touched on Hannibal's touch-starved state and i've been hooked on that trope ever since lol. always a fave to re-read from time to time.
and the first time that you kissed me, i drank dry the River Lethe by cerviidae:
“Would you like me to come over?”
Silence stretches between them, taut and trembling. Then, the faintest sound—a throat clicking, a breath stalling. Hannibal can already see the war in Will's mind, the reasons she is telling herself not to accept. The burden she is convincing herself she must not be. Hannibal does not give her the chance to refuse.
“I would not mind.” A pause. A breath.
Then, finally, “Yes.”
*this is not a fic focusing on Hannibal's vulnerability, but it is one of my new favorites i've come across.* it's a genderswap AU of an exploration into their physical relationship. Hannibal and Will are both desperate to satisfy the other and it is so tender. this may be hands down the most beautiful smut fic i've ever read?!
earl grey and honey by cerviidae:
Will’s tenderness is a constant. And what a gift it is. Will conjures summer itself through sheer will, as though he could pull Hannibal out of winter’s grasp and set him down in a field of green and gold. Hannibal knows nothing of the ache of bones any longer. His days are filled with cooking and cleaning, the motions of care and love. He kneads dough with his mother’s frantic energy, channels her restless hands into feeding Will, keeping him full. And Will, in turn, keeps him warm. It is love.
any time i read anything by this author, i know i'm about to be wailing my heart out. this is incredible and so lovely.
Verisimilitude by becks:
Will Graham can't believe it when they tell him Hannibal Lecter's dead.
Good. He shouldn't.
(Or: An experimental lobotomy and its unanticipated aftermath.)
i remember reading this years ago and it was so incredible! i've never read a fic with this plot and it was executed perfectly. the end of the last chapter? an absolute masterpiece. i was on the edge of my seat. it's incomplete, but i hope one day the author returns to this fic because it's one of my favorite ever and such a unique exploration of Hannibal and Will's relationship.
Saint Valentine by cerviidae:
Vampire Hannibal Lecter learns what it’s like to love and be loved.
Y'ALL I HAVE NEVER BEEN MOVED TO TEARS BY MORE THAN ONE OTHER FIC. BUT THIS ONE??? I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF READING THIS RIGHT NOW AND I'M GENUINELY ABOUT TO WEEP, BLINKING BACK TEARS BECAUSE THIS IS SO STUNNING AND TENDER AND EVOCATIVE. might also be the fact that i'm listening to Hozier at the same time lol. I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS ENOUGH. VAMPIRE HANNIBAL BEING LOVED BY WILL SO THOROUGHLY THAT HE'S MOVED TO TEARS?? PERFECTION!! 😭🩷
i don't want to set the world on fire by cerviidae:
Will and Hannibal celebrate Valentine's Day stranded in a fire lookout tower
everyone, go read this asap because it is the most unique and beautiful and perfectly orchestrated exploration of their post-fall dynamic i've ever read. Hannibal's longing for Will in this is so palpable and the desperation he shows for Will when their relationship turns physical? ABSOLUTELY EXQUISITE AND HEARTWRENCHING!! i quite literally just finished reading this and damn was it stunning. still wiping tears from my eyes 😭
i have loved you in a tame way & i have loved you wild by cerviidae:
Will tells himself it don’t matter that he’s got company for this job, tells himself he don’t mind having the kid around, even if it does feel off. He knows he can’t afford to be picky—not in this kind of work, where jobs are hard enough to come by. And maybe if the boy’s just gonna keep ignoring him, they won’t have to cross paths all that much. He’s fine with that. Easier to keep his head down, get through the summer without any trouble. They won’t see each other.
Out of sight, out of mind.
-or-
A Hannibal fic inspired by Brokeback Mountain
Y'ALL, GO READ THIS RIGHT NOW because it contains mute Hannibal and it is one of the most beautiful AU explorations of their relationship i've ever read. chapter 9 in particular made me ugly cry. Will helping Hannibal try to learn to speak again was so unexpected (and i've never seen that happen in a fic before??) also, the progression of Will's struggle with his sexuality and eventually accepting himself and his feelings for Hannibal is so, so beautiful and raw and real. Will treats Hannibal so lovingly in this fic and whenever Hannibal's vulnerability is at the forefront, it never fails to make me weep.
wring me of all the blood i shall bleed:
Post-Fall, Will is growing more and more distant by the day. Hannibal, on the other hand, is unwilling to speak—be it a result of brain damage or a self-imposed state of mutism. Life on the run is as peaceful as it can be. Until Will enters a new relationship in an effort to stem the curious glances and endless questions from the locals.
finally finished and posted the first chapter!
wring me of all the blood i shall bleed (chapter 1)
Post-Fall, Will is growing more and more distant by the day. Hannibal, on the other hand, is unwilling to speak—be it a result of brain damage or a self-imposed state of mutism. Life on the run is as peaceful as it can be. Until Will enters a new relationship in an effort to stem the curious glances and endless questions from the locals.
vulnerable Hannibal fic idea that's been cooking in my brain:
Hannibal and Will's post-fall relationship does not progress or develop in the manner Hannibal expected. He expected them to become closer, but Will is growing more distant each day. Hannibal has brain damage from a head injury, and it results in his emotional threshold being weaker, more fragile in a way he cannot control and struggles to explain. He misses Will, even from across the room. He gets anxious each time Will leaves the house. He's hidden one of Will's shirts underneath his pillow so he can fall asleep with Will's scent, even if Will is down the hall or out of the house for the night.
Will gets a job because it's a way to blend in. He knows Hannibal is behaving differently. He thinks what Hannibal needs is space and time to adjust. He starts a relationship with a woman he meets at a bar because it'll help them blend in even more. People won't ask questions or think it odd if Hannibal is rumored to be Will's relative (a distant uncle). He doesn't believe he could engage in an intimate (or even physical) relationship with Hannibal. Not yet.
They still have many past issues to discuss and resolve. But it's difficult to do so when Hannibal is mute. Trust between them is fragile and Will's new girlfriend puts a strain on their relationship. Will tells Hannibal there's no reason to be jealous. He tells Hannibal: "I'm not doing this to hurt you. I can't be what you need right now. I'm not there yet, and I don't know if I ever will be." He starts spending more and more time out of the house because the silence is suffocating. He never brings his girlfriend around. But she invites Will and Hannibal over to her house for Christmas day to exchange presents.
Will agrees for appearance's sake and asks Hannibal to make a list of things he would want for Christmas. He leaves a piece of paper (with written instructions to make a christmas list) and a pen on the counter for Hannibal before heading out to work. He comes back home hours later and opens the lid of the trashcan to toss something. There's a crumpled piece of paper balled up in the corner, buried in the pile, but only slightly visible if one were to look for it. He unfolds it and smooths out the creases to read the words written on the page.
It's Hannibal's christmas list and there are only three sentences written down: one hug. for at least thirty seconds, if you are willing. the lights can be off, if you wish.
Will's heart crumbles. He wonders why it was thrown in the trash until he sees a second christmas list on the counter in pristine condition. There are only two words written on that one: your company.
someone was searching for my old season 3 fic in the Hannibal Fanfiction subreddit and i thought: why the hell not repost it. so, here y'all go!
the ache against the wind (original version circa 2023)
Will witnesses the unexpected aftermath that unfolds following the removal of Hannibal's toilet.
here is the new and rewritten version on AO3
Vulnerable Hannibal Fic Rec List
Updated 2/15/2025 with one new addition located at the bottom of the page! A few of these fics are mine, but the rest are some of my favorite fics I've ever read that feature vulnerable Hannibal in various seasons, AUs, and post-canon.
shrike (to your sharp and glorious thorn):
Will begins to notice a change in Hannibal's behavior post-fall. He's become something akin to a fretting housewife.
The Ache Against The Wind (Rewritten):
3x13 AU: Will travels into an alternate dimension after plunging into the Atlantic and is confronted with the unexpected aftermath following the removal of Hannibal's toilet in the BSHCI.
Pareidolia:
Six weeks post-fall, Hannibal suffers from a seizure during dinner.
Je Te Laisserai Des Mots:
Six months have passed since Will pulled them over the cliff. Even in light of their progressing relationship, much of Hannibal still remains a mystery to Will. For reasons unknown, he’s begun to pull away. (A sequel to Shrike--my housewife Hannibal fic!)
Between The Hour Of Reprieve:
At the cliff house, Hannibal receives a much-needed-hug.
A Cabin In The Woods by KoolJack1:
Hannibal is thirteen and runs away from the orphanage when he feels that a fate of the elements will be better than the fate of abuse. He finds a small cabin in the woods, thinking warmth will be all he finds. He also finds Will. But who changes who?
this is absolutely amazing. i've never read an AU quite like this. a true masterpiece.
Recipricol Alchemy by Scifibabe:
In the silent echoes of his dreams, Will Graham treads a line blurred between control and chaos, each step drawing him inexorably towards claiming Hannibal as his own. It's a perilous dance on the edge of darkness, where the thrill of possession whispers of a transformation too profound to resist.
one of my faves. i can't even describe how perfect this explores their season 2 dynamic. such a unique trajectory and i am living for it.
Hold Me, Don’t Let Me Go by sourweather:
It's a few months after the Fall when it finally hits him. Hannibal has barely been touched in 3 years. And Will won't let it go on for another moment.
so precious omg. love it
Hosanna In The Highest by sainthannibal:
During the fall, Hannibal receives the brunt of the injuries, which leaves him unable to care for himself. Will discovers how much he enjoys taking care of him.
the post-fall whump is immaculate 🤧 love it
You Made Me Soup by itsybitsylemonsqueezy:
Hannibal comes down with pneumonia while incarcerated. Will decides to make him some soup. Absolutely no one thinks it's strange that Will comes to give his ex soup when he finds out he's sick. No one at all finds this suspicious. At. All.
god, i love this one so much. sick hannibal being hand-fed in the BSHCI? wailing my heart out
The Boy Under The Monster’s Bed by Wr4tttttthh:
There were deep wounds that needed healing, new and old, physical and otherwise.
one of my faves. Will finding Hannibal hiding under the table? a gut punch 😭
Delicate Ghost by hannigramcracker & TimmyJayBird:
She was different- not the ghost of his memories, but something about this bloodied child ripped right at Hannibal's chest, and left him drowning in a cold snow he thought he had left in his childhood, that he had locked away within his skull. Drowning, with only one hand to grasp at, one body to cling to. One man to work him through the trauma and remind him what life was.
so amazing. a unique perspective of how Will would deal with Hannibal becoming distressed while on a case together. one of the first vulnerable hannibal fics i've ever read 🥺
You With Those Nails, Me With This Cross by TheBitterKitten:
Will goes too far.
wailing into my pillow omg this had the perfect amount of angst.
The Distance Is Quite Simply Much Too Far For Me To Row by softhan:
Hannibal is having a rough time recovering from his injuries post-fall, and retreats into himself to avoid confrontation with Will while he's still weak and ill. Having to play happy husbands hardly helps.
my all time fave Hannibal whump fic. the way he's scared Will is disgusted by his accident? eternally sobbing. forever recommending this to anyone who is searching through this rec list.
Silk and Lace by jonnimir:
Bedelia leaves Hannibal and Will a gift at the house on the cliff.
crying because this was so tender and sweet. touch-starved hannibal at the cliff house. chef's kiss.
Not So Fast by scifibabe:
Hannibal wakes from a heated dream with a need that can’t be ignored—and Will, half-asleep but all too eager, is more than happy to help. What begins as a midnight indulgence quickly spirals into an overwhelming game of push and pull, as Will’s relentless appetite pushes Hannibal to the edge and beyond. Kinktober Day 10: Overstimulation + Face-Sitting
desperate and needy hannibal. need i say more? loved it 🤭
Hush Now by scifibabe:
What starts as Will stitching up Hannibal's latest hunting injury turns into something else entirely when a teasing "let Daddy take care of you" slips out. It's meant to be a joke--until Hannibal's reaction tells a different story. One playful push leads to another, and soon enough, they're both realizing they might be into this a little more than they expected. Kinktober Day 19: Fisting.
I truly cannot recommend Hush Now enough! It'll live rent free in my mind and heart for the rest of my life ♡
The Antidote To Grief by incidentsofunkownorigins:
On Will's idea, they visit Mischa's grave. What Will had hoped to be a healing moment of closure breaks something in Hannibal and he is the only one who can put the pieces back together.
this is such a beautiful take on Hannibal and Will visiting Lithuania together and how that would impact Hannibal. ♡
Pulse Point:
Post-Fall, an injured Hannibal awakes from an erotic dream, desperate and needy, aching for Will's touch.
Marveling at a Spoon by scifibabe:
After a gourmet dinner, Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter decide to indulge in something a little more... pedestrian—a joint. As the smoke settles and their usual control begins to loosen, Hannibal finds himself experiencing a sensation he never expected: a heightened sensitivity that unravels him under Will’s teasing touch. What starts as a curious experiment in relaxation quickly turns into a surprising discovery, one that leaves even the meticulous Hannibal completely undone. Will is all too eager to take advantage of his newfound knowledge, and Hannibal, for once, is too overwhelmed to resist.
god, i loved this so much.
We Are Now Among The Ruins by ADeedWithoutAName:
Hannibal survived the fall, but not unchanged. He intends to give Will the only gift he now can, and Will intends to honor him in the only way that matters.
i rarely read MCD, but this one is so worth the pain. i am eternally sobbing from this 😭 i also cannot recommend this one enough!!
Something Sacred by scifibabe:
In the quiet aftermath of their survival, silence has taken hold. Hannibal hasn't spoken since the night they washed ashore, his voice swallowed by their shared trauma. Will, haunted by the absence of words and the weight of unspoken things, has learned to reach Hannibal through touch, through the quiet rituals of care. When the strain of Hannibal’s pain becomes too much to hide, Will draws a bath—an unspoken offer of comfort. But today is different. Today, beneath the surface of familiar rituals, something stirs. As the warmth of the water surrounds them, walls begin to crack, and a fragile trust, once guarded so fiercely, blooms into something more intimate and vulnerable than either of them anticipated. In the quiet steam of the bath, two men find solace in each other’s arms, where tenderness can no longer be ignored.
this was so beautiful and soft omg. forever wailing about Hannibal asking Will to join him in the bath. ♡
A Pinch Of Salt In The Wound:
Renderered mute and bedbound post-fall, Hannibal begins to spiral.
You Believe Me Like A God:
Hannibal becomes severely injured post-episode 3x13.
compimento by cervviidae:
Hannibal learns what it's like to be Will's husband.
one of the most beautiful fics i've ever read that explore post-fall hannibal being loved with genuine tenderness and affection by Will. one i'll forever recommend.
Solace In Being Heard by air_of_the_Waterfall:
Hannibal is having terrible nightmares, and Will comes up with a rather unexpected method of helping him get a full night’s sleep.
i love that this offers such a unique look into Hannibal's childhood trauma and how it would impact his sleep. can't recommend it enough!
Bright Burn by Shotgun_sinner:
Hannibal suffers life-threatening injuries post-fall. Will makes decisions to save Hannibal, while trying to recover the life with him that he's only just realized he wanted. How far will he go to keep what's his?
the whump is immaculate in this post-fall fic too 🤧
crave, then succumb:
Hannibal receives a second hug post-fall, while high as a kite on morphine, and ends up unraveling in Will's arms.
chimera of the chapel by bleakmidwinter:
When Will Graham wakes up from a coma three months after the fall, Jack reveals that Hannibal Lecter didn't survive. Outside the realm of Hannibal's influence, Will decides to discover the full truth behind the world's sudden and seeming falsehood. Everybody seems to hold their own opinion on Hannibal's fate, but Will knows better than anyone that trust and honesty are as elusive as death.
incredible. i can't even express how much i loved this. the tender moments and development of their relationship is so beautiful 😭♥️
Keep Me Warm by nbcravenstag:
Will arrives home after walking through a blizzard, fully expecting an angry husband, but instead finds a traumatized little boy, terrified of the cold and haunted by what he's already lost.
the hurt/comfort in this was amazing. love it so much.
Beauty Not Needed Here by kralbellen:
“I know you are in love with me.”
It's not a question but not fully a statement either. A certain amount of doubt colores Will's tone, giving the sentence a nervous lilt.
Hannibal's first instinct is to deny it, in some half-hearted, last effort at self-preservation. He almost smiles – there is no self-preservation left for him when it comes to Will.
Hannibal is asexual. this was so tender and sweet. eternally wailing into my pillow. as someone who's ace this was like a breath of fresh air.
O Holy Night by memequeen1127:
Hannibal gazes at him right back, smiling as if he knows exactly what Will’s thinking. And considering how they know each other inside and out, he very well might.
“Merry Christmas, Will,” he says softly.
Will smiles. “Merry Christmas, Hannibal.”
the sweetest oneshot i've ever read. Hannibal regresses during Christmas and Will is so patient and caring. wailing about this until the end of time 😭🩵
The Perception Of Reality Through Language by Angelic_Disaster:
Hannibal can recognize the factors of trauma in others but not in himself. That's why he denies that there is a reason why he doesn't speak Lithuanian.
sobbing at this for eternity. Will speaking to Hannibal in Lithuanian and then Hannibal breaks down in his arms?? i couldn't ask for anything more beautiful than that in a fic.
Living With A Ghost Of Summer by itsbeautiful:
Based on a requested prompt. Where Will is an idiot, ahem, I mean Will loves Hannibal and tries to surprise him by making a home cooked meal using dishes from Lithuania. Fails spectacularly to lie his way out of it and everything goes horribly wrong. And then they cuddle. The end.
one of my favorites. Will cooks Lithuanian food for Hannibal, who ends up becoming an emotional mess.
Know Me See Me by incidentsofunknownorigins:
On the way to the cliff house, Will makes a decision for himself. Once they get there, he acts on it. But he finds Hannibal is much more deeply broken by his stay at the BSHCI than either of them realized. This time Will must put the teacup back together.
the premise of this fic is something i've been searching for and craving to read for so, so long (eternity, basically) because there can never be enough cliff house fics that explore Hannibal being touch-starved and vulnerable and dealing with the effects of being isolated for three long years. ♡
between here and there by hannigramized:
Will's name is the last word Hannibal spoke in his presence. That was two months ago, directly after the fall, and Hannibal has not said a single word since. Now Will has to navigate through their lives together without Hannibal's voice to guide him.
love this so much! it's the most amazing mute!Hannibal fic i've ever read.
Take Me The Way I Am by Thinminted:
Will didn’t miss Molly, not really, but he occasionally missed who he was when he was with her.
A story about learning to trust your partner with all of yourself.
a very beautiful exploration of Hannibal and Will's developing relationship post-fall.
èclair by cerviidae:
Hannibal touches dough instead of skin. Hannibal is kissed by the feeling of flour on his lips, accidental and impersonal, instead of by the mouth of the man he loves. Three years in confinement had starved him, and now, though his body is healed, his soul remains ravenous. He cleans most of what he can of the whipped cream, scooping it back into another piping bag as he wills himself not to be irrational about this. This mess, this imperfection—it means nothing at all.
amazing post-fall fic about Hannibal's insecurity about being enough to satisfy Will in everyday life and also explores their developing physical relationship and how Hannibal's touch-starved state would have an impact on that. so beautiful. genuinely left me speechless.
Home Is Not A Place by shotgun_sinner:
Post-Fall, Hannibal recovers from his injuries. Will takes care of him, and their relationship evolves much more easily than Hannibal thought it would. The only issue is that Will is a constant presence, and he hasn't had alone time in three years. It ends up not being an issue at all.
one of the first post-fall fics i remember reading years ago that touched on Hannibal's touch-starved state and i've been hooked on that trope ever since lol. always a fave to re-read from time to time.
and the first time that you kissed me, i drank dry the River Lethe by cerviidae:
“Would you like me to come over?”
Silence stretches between them, taut and trembling. Then, the faintest sound—a throat clicking, a breath stalling. Hannibal can already see the war in Will's mind, the reasons she is telling herself not to accept. The burden she is convincing herself she must not be. Hannibal does not give her the chance to refuse.
“I would not mind.” A pause. A breath.
Then, finally, “Yes.”
*this is not a fic focusing on Hannibal's vulnerability, but it is one of my new favorites i've come across.* it's a genderswap AU of an exploration into their physical relationship. Hannibal and Will are both desperate to satisfy the other and it is so tender. this may be hands down the most beautiful smut fic i've ever read?!
earl grey and honey by cerviidae:
Will’s tenderness is a constant. And what a gift it is. Will conjures summer itself through sheer will, as though he could pull Hannibal out of winter’s grasp and set him down in a field of green and gold. Hannibal knows nothing of the ache of bones any longer. His days are filled with cooking and cleaning, the motions of care and love. He kneads dough with his mother’s frantic energy, channels her restless hands into feeding Will, keeping him full. And Will, in turn, keeps him warm. It is love.
any time i read anything by this author, i know i'm about to be wailing my heart out. this is incredible and so lovely.
Verisimilitude by becks:
Will Graham can't believe it when they tell him Hannibal Lecter's dead.
Good. He shouldn't.
(Or: An experimental lobotomy and its unanticipated aftermath.)
i remember reading this years ago and it was so incredible! i've never read a fic with this plot and it was executed perfectly. the end of the last chapter? an absolute masterpiece. i was on the edge of my seat. it's incomplete, but i hope one day the author returns to this fic because it's one of my favorite ever and such a unique exploration of Hannibal and Will's relationship.
Saint Valentine by cerviidae:
Vampire Hannibal Lecter learns what it’s like to love and be loved.
Y'ALL I HAVE NEVER BEEN MOVED TO TEARS BY MORE THAN ONE OTHER FIC. BUT THIS ONE??? I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF READING THIS RIGHT NOW AND I'M GENUINELY ABOUT TO WEEP, BLINKING BACK TEARS BECAUSE THIS IS SO STUNNING AND TENDER AND EVOCATIVE. might also be the fact that i'm listening to Hozier at the same time lol. I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS ENOUGH. VAMPIRE HANNIBAL BEING LOVED BY WILL SO THOROUGHLY THAT HE'S MOVED TO TEARS?? PERFECTION!! 😭🩷
i don't want to set the world on fire by cerviidae:
Will and Hannibal celebrate Valentine's Day stranded in a fire lookout tower
everyone, go read this asap because it is the most unique and beautiful and perfectly orchestrated exploration of their post-fall dynamic. Hannibal's longing for Will in this is so palpable and the desperation he shows for Will when their relationship turns physical? ABSOLUTELY EXQUISITE AND HEARTWRENCHING!! i quite literally just finished reading this and damn was it stunning. still wiping tears from my eyes 😭
my moots, go read the most beautiful vampire Hannibal au (written by @cervviidae) that i just added to the rec list right now 😭🩵
Vulnerable Hannibal Fic Rec List
Updated 2/8/2025 with one new addition located at the bottom of the page! A few of these fics are mine, but the rest are some of my favorite fics I've ever read that feature vulnerable Hannibal in various seasons, AUs, and post-canon.
shrike (to your sharp and glorious thorn):
Will begins to notice a change in Hannibal's behavior post-fall. He's become something akin to a fretting housewife.
The Ache Against The Wind (Rewritten):
3x13 AU: Will travels into an alternate dimension after plunging into the Atlantic and is confronted with the unexpected aftermath following the removal of Hannibal's toilet in the BSHCI.
Pareidolia:
Six weeks post-fall, Hannibal suffers from a seizure during dinner.
Je Te Laisserai Des Mots:
Six months have passed since Will pulled them over the cliff. Even in light of their progressing relationship, much of Hannibal still remains a mystery to Will. For reasons unknown, he’s begun to pull away. (A sequel to Shrike--my housewife Hannibal fic!)
Between The Hour Of Reprieve:
At the cliff house, Hannibal receives a much-needed-hug.
A Cabin In The Woods by KoolJack1:
Hannibal is thirteen and runs away from the orphanage when he feels that a fate of the elements will be better than the fate of abuse. He finds a small cabin in the woods, thinking warmth will be all he finds. He also finds Will. But who changes who?
this is absolutely amazing. i've never read an AU quite like this. a true masterpiece.
Recipricol Alchemy by Scifibabe:
In the silent echoes of his dreams, Will Graham treads a line blurred between control and chaos, each step drawing him inexorably towards claiming Hannibal as his own. It's a perilous dance on the edge of darkness, where the thrill of possession whispers of a transformation too profound to resist.
one of my faves. i can't even describe how perfect this explores their season 2 dynamic. such a unique trajectory and i am living for it.
Hold Me, Don’t Let Me Go by sourweather:
It's a few months after the Fall when it finally hits him. Hannibal has barely been touched in 3 years. And Will won't let it go on for another moment.
so precious omg. love it
Hosanna In The Highest by sainthannibal:
During the fall, Hannibal receives the brunt of the injuries, which leaves him unable to care for himself. Will discovers how much he enjoys taking care of him.
the post-fall whump is immaculate 🤧 love it
You Made Me Soup by itsybitsylemonsqueezy:
Hannibal comes down with pneumonia while incarcerated. Will decides to make him some soup. Absolutely no one thinks it's strange that Will comes to give his ex soup when he finds out he's sick. No one at all finds this suspicious. At. All.
god, i love this one so much. sick hannibal being hand-fed in the BSHCI? wailing my heart out
The Boy Under The Monster’s Bed by Wr4tttttthh:
There were deep wounds that needed healing, new and old, physical and otherwise.
one of my faves. Will finding Hannibal hiding under the table? a gut punch 😭
Delicate Ghost by hannigramcracker & TimmyJayBird:
She was different- not the ghost of his memories, but something about this bloodied child ripped right at Hannibal's chest, and left him drowning in a cold snow he thought he had left in his childhood, that he had locked away within his skull. Drowning, with only one hand to grasp at, one body to cling to. One man to work him through the trauma and remind him what life was.
so amazing. a unique perspective of how Will would deal with Hannibal becoming distressed while on a case together. one of the first vulnerable hannibal fics i've ever read 🥺
You With Those Nails, Me With This Cross by TheBitterKitten:
Will goes too far.
wailing into my pillow omg this had the perfect amount of angst.
The Distance Is Quite Simply Much Too Far For Me To Row by softhan:
Hannibal is having a rough time recovering from his injuries post-fall, and retreats into himself to avoid confrontation with Will while he's still weak and ill. Having to play happy husbands hardly helps.
my all time fave Hannibal whump fic. the way he's scared Will is disgusted by his accident? eternally sobbing. forever recommending this to anyone who is searching through this rec list.
Silk and Lace by jonnimir:
Bedelia leaves Hannibal and Will a gift at the house on the cliff.
crying because this was so tender and sweet. touch-starved hannibal at the cliff house. chef's kiss.
Not So Fast by scifibabe:
Hannibal wakes from a heated dream with a need that can’t be ignored—and Will, half-asleep but all too eager, is more than happy to help. What begins as a midnight indulgence quickly spirals into an overwhelming game of push and pull, as Will’s relentless appetite pushes Hannibal to the edge and beyond. Kinktober Day 10: Overstimulation + Face-Sitting
desperate and needy hannibal. need i say more? loved it 🤭
Hush Now by scifibabe:
What starts as Will stitching up Hannibal's latest hunting injury turns into something else entirely when a teasing "let Daddy take care of you" slips out. It's meant to be a joke--until Hannibal's reaction tells a different story. One playful push leads to another, and soon enough, they're both realizing they might be into this a little more than they expected. Kinktober Day 19: Fisting.
I truly cannot recommend Hush Now enough! It'll live rent free in my mind and heart for the rest of my life ♡
The Antidote To Grief by incidentsofunkownorigins:
On Will's idea, they visit Mischa's grave. What Will had hoped to be a healing moment of closure breaks something in Hannibal and he is the only one who can put the pieces back together.
this is such a beautiful take on Hannibal and Will visiting Lithuania together and how that would impact Hannibal. ♡
Pulse Point:
Post-Fall, an injured Hannibal awakes from an erotic dream, desperate and needy, aching for Will's touch.
Marveling at a Spoon by scifibabe:
After a gourmet dinner, Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter decide to indulge in something a little more... pedestrian—a joint. As the smoke settles and their usual control begins to loosen, Hannibal finds himself experiencing a sensation he never expected: a heightened sensitivity that unravels him under Will’s teasing touch. What starts as a curious experiment in relaxation quickly turns into a surprising discovery, one that leaves even the meticulous Hannibal completely undone. Will is all too eager to take advantage of his newfound knowledge, and Hannibal, for once, is too overwhelmed to resist.
god, i loved this so much.
We Are Now Among The Ruins by ADeedWithoutAName:
Hannibal survived the fall, but not unchanged. He intends to give Will the only gift he now can, and Will intends to honor him in the only way that matters.
i rarely read MCD, but this one is so worth the pain. i am eternally sobbing from this 😭 i also cannot recommend this one enough!!
Something Sacred by scifibabe:
In the quiet aftermath of their survival, silence has taken hold. Hannibal hasn't spoken since the night they washed ashore, his voice swallowed by their shared trauma. Will, haunted by the absence of words and the weight of unspoken things, has learned to reach Hannibal through touch, through the quiet rituals of care. When the strain of Hannibal’s pain becomes too much to hide, Will draws a bath—an unspoken offer of comfort. But today is different. Today, beneath the surface of familiar rituals, something stirs. As the warmth of the water surrounds them, walls begin to crack, and a fragile trust, once guarded so fiercely, blooms into something more intimate and vulnerable than either of them anticipated. In the quiet steam of the bath, two men find solace in each other’s arms, where tenderness can no longer be ignored.
this was so beautiful and soft omg. forever wailing about Hannibal asking Will to join him in the bath. ♡
A Pinch Of Salt In The Wound:
Renderered mute and bedbound post-fall, Hannibal begins to spiral.
You Believe Me Like A God:
Hannibal becomes severely injured post-episode 3x13.
compimento by cervviidae:
Hannibal learns what it's like to be Will's husband.
one of the most beautiful fics i've ever read that explore post-fall hannibal being loved with genuine tenderness and affection by Will. one i'll forever recommend.
Solace In Being Heard by air_of_the_Waterfall:
Hannibal is having terrible nightmares, and Will comes up with a rather unexpected method of helping him get a full night’s sleep.
i love that this offers such a unique look into Hannibal's childhood trauma and how it would impact his sleep. can't recommend it enough!
Bright Burn by Shotgun_sinner:
Hannibal suffers life-threatening injuries post-fall. Will makes decisions to save Hannibal, while trying to recover the life with him that he's only just realized he wanted. How far will he go to keep what's his?
the whump is immaculate in this post-fall fic too 🤧
crave, then succumb:
Hannibal receives a second hug post-fall, while high as a kite on morphine, and ends up unraveling in Will's arms.
chimera of the chapel by bleakmidwinter:
When Will Graham wakes up from a coma three months after the fall, Jack reveals that Hannibal Lecter didn't survive. Outside the realm of Hannibal's influence, Will decides to discover the full truth behind the world's sudden and seeming falsehood. Everybody seems to hold their own opinion on Hannibal's fate, but Will knows better than anyone that trust and honesty are as elusive as death.
incredible. i can't even express how much i loved this. the tender moments and development of their relationship is so beautiful 😭♥️
Keep Me Warm by nbcravenstag:
Will arrives home after walking through a blizzard, fully expecting an angry husband, but instead finds a traumatized little boy, terrified of the cold and haunted by what he's already lost.
the hurt/comfort in this was amazing. love it so much.
Beauty Not Needed Here by kralbellen:
“I know you are in love with me.”
It's not a question but not fully a statement either. A certain amount of doubt colores Will's tone, giving the sentence a nervous lilt.
Hannibal's first instinct is to deny it, in some half-hearted, last effort at self-preservation. He almost smiles – there is no self-preservation left for him when it comes to Will.
Hannibal is asexual. this was so tender and sweet. eternally wailing into my pillow. as someone who's ace this was like a breath of fresh air.
O Holy Night by memequeen1127:
Hannibal gazes at him right back, smiling as if he knows exactly what Will’s thinking. And considering how they know each other inside and out, he very well might.
“Merry Christmas, Will,” he says softly.
Will smiles. “Merry Christmas, Hannibal.”
the sweetest oneshot i've ever read. Hannibal regresses during Christmas and Will is so patient and caring. wailing about this until the end of time 😭🩵
The Perception Of Reality Through Language by Angelic_Disaster:
Hannibal can recognize the factors of trauma in others but not in himself. That's why he denies that there is a reason why he doesn't speak Lithuanian.
sobbing at this for eternity. Will speaking to Hannibal in Lithuanian and then Hannibal breaks down in his arms?? i couldn't ask for anything more beautiful than that in a fic.
Living With A Ghost Of Summer by itsbeautiful:
Based on a requested prompt. Where Will is an idiot, ahem, I mean Will loves Hannibal and tries to surprise him by making a home cooked meal using dishes from Lithuania. Fails spectacularly to lie his way out of it and everything goes horribly wrong. And then they cuddle. The end.
one of my favorites. Will cooks Lithuanian food for Hannibal, who ends up becoming an emotional mess.
Know Me See Me by incidentsofunknownorigins:
On the way to the cliff house, Will makes a decision for himself. Once they get there, he acts on it. But he finds Hannibal is much more deeply broken by his stay at the BSHCI than either of them realized. This time Will must put the teacup back together.
the premise of this fic is something i've been searching for and craving to read for so, so long (eternity, basically) because there can never be enough cliff house fics that explore Hannibal being touch-starved and vulnerable and dealing with the effects of being isolated for three long years. ♡
between here and there by hannigramized:
Will's name is the last word Hannibal spoke in his presence. That was two months ago, directly after the fall, and Hannibal has not said a single word since. Now Will has to navigate through their lives together without Hannibal's voice to guide him.
love this so much! it's the most amazing mute!Hannibal fic i've ever read.
Take Me The Way I Am by Thinminted:
Will didn’t miss Molly, not really, but he occasionally missed who he was when he was with her.
A story about learning to trust your partner with all of yourself.
a very beautiful exploration of Hannibal and Will's developing relationship post-fall.
èclair by cerviidae:
Hannibal touches dough instead of skin. Hannibal is kissed by the feeling of flour on his lips, accidental and impersonal, instead of by the mouth of the man he loves. Three years in confinement had starved him, and now, though his body is healed, his soul remains ravenous. He cleans most of what he can of the whipped cream, scooping it back into another piping bag as he wills himself not to be irrational about this. This mess, this imperfection—it means nothing at all.
amazing post-fall fic about Hannibal's insecurity about being enough to satisfy Will in everyday life and also explores their developing physical relationship and how Hannibal's touch-starved state would have an impact on that. so beautiful. genuinely left me speechless.
Home Is Not A Place by shotgun_sinner:
Post-Fall, Hannibal recovers from his injuries. Will takes care of him, and their relationship evolves much more easily than Hannibal thought it would. The only issue is that Will is a constant presence, and he hasn't had alone time in three years. It ends up not being an issue at all.
one of the first post-fall fics i remember reading years ago that touched on Hannibal's touch-starved state and i've been hooked on that trope ever since lol. always a fave to re-read from time to time.
and the first time that you kissed me, i drank dry the River Lethe by cerviidae:
“Would you like me to come over?”
Silence stretches between them, taut and trembling. Then, the faintest sound—a throat clicking, a breath stalling. Hannibal can already see the war in Will's mind, the reasons she is telling herself not to accept. The burden she is convincing herself she must not be. Hannibal does not give her the chance to refuse.
“I would not mind.” A pause. A breath.
Then, finally, “Yes.”
*this is not a fic focusing on Hannibal's vulnerability, but it is one of my new favorites i've come across.* it's a genderswap AU of an exploration into their physical relationship. Hannibal and Will are both desperate to satisfy the other and it is so tender. this may be hands down the most beautiful smut fic i've ever read?!
earl grey and honey by cerviidae:
Will’s tenderness is a constant. And what a gift it is. Will conjures summer itself through sheer will, as though he could pull Hannibal out of winter’s grasp and set him down in a field of green and gold. Hannibal knows nothing of the ache of bones any longer. His days are filled with cooking and cleaning, the motions of care and love. He kneads dough with his mother’s frantic energy, channels her restless hands into feeding Will, keeping him full. And Will, in turn, keeps him warm. It is love.
any time i read anything by this author, i know i'm about to be wailing my heart out. this is incredible and so lovely.
Verisimilitude by becks:
Will Graham can't believe it when they tell him Hannibal Lecter's dead.
Good. He shouldn't.
(Or: An experimental lobotomy and its unanticipated aftermath.)
i remember reading this years ago and it was so incredible! i've never read a fic with this plot and it was executed perfectly. the end of the last chapter? an absolute masterpiece. i was on the edge of my seat. it's incomplete, but i hope one day the author returns to this fic because it's one of my favorite ever and such a unique exploration of Hannibal and Will's relationship.
Saint Valentine by cerviidae:
Vampire Hannibal Lecter learns what it’s like to love and be loved.
Y'ALL I HAVE NEVER BEEN MOVED TO TEARS BY MORE THAN ONE OTHER FIC. BUT THIS ONE??? I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF READING THIS RIGHT NOW AND I'M GENUINELY ABOUT TO WEEP, BLINKING BACK TEARS BECAUSE THIS IS SO STUNNING AND TENDER AND EVOCATIVE. I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS ENOUGH. VAMPIRE HANNIBAL BEING LOVED BY WILL SO THOROUGHLY THAT HE'S MOVED TO TEARS?? PERFECTION!! 😭🩷
coffee's first fics circa 2023
when i first started writing fanfiction in April of 2023, i wrote so many of them (even a 52k word fic) on my notes app before i found my savior google docs 😭 i didn't want to add these to the vulnerable Hannibal fic rec list because i was still getting the hang of writing when i originally posted these. but i figured i'd repost them anyway because there can never be enough vulnerable Hannibal fics imo. these all take place post-fall. ratings range from mature to explicit.
burn with need (5k words):
touch-starved Hannibal busting a nut for the first time in three years. tender bathtub hand job.
past the point of greed (3k words):
Hannibal is overwhelmed from having unrestricted access to food for the first time in three years. *cw: eating disorder and vomiting.*
drowning beneath familiar depths (6k words):
A loud noise triggers Hannibal's childhood PTSD.
Aging Rust On A Brittle Heart (2k words):
Hannibal panics when Will leaves unannounced.
Vulnerable Hannibal Fic Rec List
Updated 2/6/2025 with one new addition located at the bottom of the page! A few of these fics are mine, but the rest are some of my favorite fics I've ever read that feature vulnerable Hannibal in various seasons, AUs, and post-canon.
shrike (to your sharp and glorious thorn):
Will begins to notice a change in Hannibal's behavior post-fall. He's become something akin to a fretting housewife.
The Ache Against The Wind (Rewritten):
3x13 AU: Will travels into an alternate dimension after plunging into the Atlantic and is confronted with the unexpected aftermath following the removal of Hannibal's toilet in the BSHCI.
Pareidolia:
Six weeks post-fall, Hannibal suffers from a seizure during dinner.
Je Te Laisserai Des Mots:
Six months have passed since Will pulled them over the cliff. Even in light of their progressing relationship, much of Hannibal still remains a mystery to Will. For reasons unknown, he’s begun to pull away. (A sequel to Shrike--my housewife Hannibal fic!)
Between The Hour Of Reprieve:
At the cliff house, Hannibal receives a much-needed-hug.
A Cabin In The Woods by KoolJack1:
Hannibal is thirteen and runs away from the orphanage when he feels that a fate of the elements will be better than the fate of abuse. He finds a small cabin in the woods, thinking warmth will be all he finds. He also finds Will. But who changes who?
this is absolutely amazing. i've never read an AU quite like this. a true masterpiece.
Recipricol Alchemy by Scifibabe:
In the silent echoes of his dreams, Will Graham treads a line blurred between control and chaos, each step drawing him inexorably towards claiming Hannibal as his own. It's a perilous dance on the edge of darkness, where the thrill of possession whispers of a transformation too profound to resist.
one of my faves. i can't even describe how perfect this explores their season 2 dynamic. such a unique trajectory and i am living for it.
Hold Me, Don’t Let Me Go by sourweather:
It's a few months after the Fall when it finally hits him. Hannibal has barely been touched in 3 years. And Will won't let it go on for another moment.
so precious omg. love it
Hosanna In The Highest by sainthannibal:
During the fall, Hannibal receives the brunt of the injuries, which leaves him unable to care for himself. Will discovers how much he enjoys taking care of him.
the post-fall whump is immaculate 🤧 love it
You Made Me Soup by itsybitsylemonsqueezy:
Hannibal comes down with pneumonia while incarcerated. Will decides to make him some soup. Absolutely no one thinks it's strange that Will comes to give his ex soup when he finds out he's sick. No one at all finds this suspicious. At. All.
god, i love this one so much. sick hannibal being hand-fed in the BSHCI? wailing my heart out
The Boy Under The Monster’s Bed by Wr4tttttthh:
There were deep wounds that needed healing, new and old, physical and otherwise.
one of my faves. Will finding Hannibal hiding under the table? a gut punch 😭
Delicate Ghost by hannigramcracker & TimmyJayBird:
She was different- not the ghost of his memories, but something about this bloodied child ripped right at Hannibal's chest, and left him drowning in a cold snow he thought he had left in his childhood, that he had locked away within his skull. Drowning, with only one hand to grasp at, one body to cling to. One man to work him through the trauma and remind him what life was.
so amazing. a unique perspective of how Will would deal with Hannibal becoming distressed while on a case together. one of the first vulnerable hannibal fics i've ever read 🥺
You With Those Nails, Me With This Cross by TheBitterKitten:
Will goes too far.
wailing into my pillow omg this had the perfect amount of angst.
The Distance Is Quite Simply Much Too Far For Me To Row by softhan:
Hannibal is having a rough time recovering from his injuries post-fall, and retreats into himself to avoid confrontation with Will while he's still weak and ill. Having to play happy husbands hardly helps.
my all time fave Hannibal whump fic. the way he's scared Will is disgusted by his accident? eternally sobbing. forever recommending this to anyone who is searching through this rec list.
Silk and Lace by jonnimir:
Bedelia leaves Hannibal and Will a gift at the house on the cliff.
crying because this was so tender and sweet. touch-starved hannibal at the cliff house. chef's kiss.
Not So Fast by scifibabe:
Hannibal wakes from a heated dream with a need that can’t be ignored—and Will, half-asleep but all too eager, is more than happy to help. What begins as a midnight indulgence quickly spirals into an overwhelming game of push and pull, as Will’s relentless appetite pushes Hannibal to the edge and beyond. Kinktober Day 10: Overstimulation + Face-Sitting
desperate and needy hannibal. need i say more? loved it 🤭
Hush Now by scifibabe:
What starts as Will stitching up Hannibal's latest hunting injury turns into something else entirely when a teasing "let Daddy take care of you" slips out. It's meant to be a joke--until Hannibal's reaction tells a different story. One playful push leads to another, and soon enough, they're both realizing they might be into this a little more than they expected. Kinktober Day 19: Fisting.
I truly cannot recommend Hush Now enough! It'll live rent free in my mind and heart for the rest of my life ♡
The Antidote To Grief by incidentsofunkownorigins:
On Will's idea, they visit Mischa's grave. What Will had hoped to be a healing moment of closure breaks something in Hannibal and he is the only one who can put the pieces back together.
this is such a beautiful take on Hannibal and Will visiting Lithuania together and how that would impact Hannibal. ♡
Pulse Point:
Post-Fall, an injured Hannibal awakes from an erotic dream, desperate and needy, aching for Will's touch.
Marveling at a Spoon by scifibabe:
After a gourmet dinner, Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter decide to indulge in something a little more... pedestrian—a joint. As the smoke settles and their usual control begins to loosen, Hannibal finds himself experiencing a sensation he never expected: a heightened sensitivity that unravels him under Will’s teasing touch. What starts as a curious experiment in relaxation quickly turns into a surprising discovery, one that leaves even the meticulous Hannibal completely undone. Will is all too eager to take advantage of his newfound knowledge, and Hannibal, for once, is too overwhelmed to resist.
god, i loved this so much.
We Are Now Among The Ruins by ADeedWithoutAName:
Hannibal survived the fall, but not unchanged. He intends to give Will the only gift he now can, and Will intends to honor him in the only way that matters.
i rarely read MCD, but this one is so worth the pain. i am eternally sobbing from this 😭 i also cannot recommend this one enough!!
Something Sacred by scifibabe:
In the quiet aftermath of their survival, silence has taken hold. Hannibal hasn't spoken since the night they washed ashore, his voice swallowed by their shared trauma. Will, haunted by the absence of words and the weight of unspoken things, has learned to reach Hannibal through touch, through the quiet rituals of care. When the strain of Hannibal’s pain becomes too much to hide, Will draws a bath—an unspoken offer of comfort. But today is different. Today, beneath the surface of familiar rituals, something stirs. As the warmth of the water surrounds them, walls begin to crack, and a fragile trust, once guarded so fiercely, blooms into something more intimate and vulnerable than either of them anticipated. In the quiet steam of the bath, two men find solace in each other’s arms, where tenderness can no longer be ignored.
this was so beautiful and soft omg. forever wailing about Hannibal asking Will to join him in the bath. ♡
A Pinch Of Salt In The Wound:
Renderered mute and bedbound post-fall, Hannibal begins to spiral.
You Believe Me Like A God:
Hannibal becomes severely injured post-episode 3x13.
compimento by cervviidae:
Hannibal learns what it's like to be Will's husband.
one of the most beautiful fics i've ever read that explore post-fall hannibal being loved with genuine tenderness and affection by Will. one i'll forever recommend.
Solace In Being Heard by air_of_the_Waterfall:
Hannibal is having terrible nightmares, and Will comes up with a rather unexpected method of helping him get a full night’s sleep.
i love that this offers such a unique look into Hannibal's childhood trauma and how it would impact his sleep. can't recommend it enough!
Bright Burn by Shotgun_sinner:
Hannibal suffers life-threatening injuries post-fall. Will makes decisions to save Hannibal, while trying to recover the life with him that he's only just realized he wanted. How far will he go to keep what's his?
the whump is immaculate in this post-fall fic too 🤧
crave, then succumb:
Hannibal receives a second hug post-fall, while high as a kite on morphine, and ends up unraveling in Will's arms.
chimera of the chapel by bleakmidwinter:
When Will Graham wakes up from a coma three months after the fall, Jack reveals that Hannibal Lecter didn't survive. Outside the realm of Hannibal's influence, Will decides to discover the full truth behind the world's sudden and seeming falsehood. Everybody seems to hold their own opinion on Hannibal's fate, but Will knows better than anyone that trust and honesty are as elusive as death.
incredible. i can't even express how much i loved this. the tender moments and development of their relationship is so beautiful 😭♥️
Keep Me Warm by nbcravenstag:
Will arrives home after walking through a blizzard, fully expecting an angry husband, but instead finds a traumatized little boy, terrified of the cold and haunted by what he's already lost.
the hurt/comfort in this was amazing. love it so much.
Beauty Not Needed Here by kralbellen:
“I know you are in love with me.”
It's not a question but not fully a statement either. A certain amount of doubt colores Will's tone, giving the sentence a nervous lilt.
Hannibal's first instinct is to deny it, in some half-hearted, last effort at self-preservation. He almost smiles – there is no self-preservation left for him when it comes to Will.
Hannibal is asexual. this was so tender and sweet. eternally wailing into my pillow. as someone who's ace this was like a breath of fresh air.
O Holy Night by memequeen1127:
Hannibal gazes at him right back, smiling as if he knows exactly what Will’s thinking. And considering how they know each other inside and out, he very well might.
“Merry Christmas, Will,” he says softly.
Will smiles. “Merry Christmas, Hannibal.”
the sweetest oneshot i've ever read. Hannibal regresses during Christmas and Will is so patient and caring. wailing about this until the end of time 😭🩵
The Perception Of Reality Through Language by Angelic_Disaster:
Hannibal can recognize the factors of trauma in others but not in himself. That's why he denies that there is a reason why he doesn't speak Lithuanian.
sobbing at this for eternity. Will speaking to Hannibal in Lithuanian and then Hannibal breaks down in his arms?? i couldn't ask for anything more beautiful than that in a fic.
Living With A Ghost Of Summer by itsbeautiful:
Based on a requested prompt. Where Will is an idiot, ahem, I mean Will loves Hannibal and tries to surprise him by making a home cooked meal using dishes from Lithuania. Fails spectacularly to lie his way out of it and everything goes horribly wrong. And then they cuddle. The end.
one of my favorites. Will cooks Lithuanian food for Hannibal, who ends up becoming an emotional mess.
Know Me See Me by incidentsofunknownorigins:
On the way to the cliff house, Will makes a decision for himself. Once they get there, he acts on it. But he finds Hannibal is much more deeply broken by his stay at the BSHCI than either of them realized. This time Will must put the teacup back together.
the premise of this fic is something i've been searching for and craving to read for so, so long (eternity, basically) because there can never be enough cliff house fics that explore Hannibal being touch-starved and vulnerable and dealing with the effects of being isolated for three long years. ♡
between here and there by hannigramized:
Will's name is the last word Hannibal spoke in his presence. That was two months ago, directly after the fall, and Hannibal has not said a single word since. Now Will has to navigate through their lives together without Hannibal's voice to guide him.
love this so much! it's the most amazing mute!Hannibal fic i've ever read.
Take Me The Way I Am by Thinminted:
Will didn’t miss Molly, not really, but he occasionally missed who he was when he was with her.
A story about learning to trust your partner with all of yourself.
a very beautiful exploration of Hannibal and Will's developing relationship post-fall.
èclair by cerviidae:
Hannibal touches dough instead of skin. Hannibal is kissed by the feeling of flour on his lips, accidental and impersonal, instead of by the mouth of the man he loves. Three years in confinement had starved him, and now, though his body is healed, his soul remains ravenous. He cleans most of what he can of the whipped cream, scooping it back into another piping bag as he wills himself not to be irrational about this. This mess, this imperfection—it means nothing at all.
amazing post-fall fic about Hannibal's insecurity about being enough to satisfy Will in everyday life and also explores their developing physical relationship and how Hannibal's touch-starved state would have an impact on that. so beautiful. genuinely left me speechless.
Home Is Not A Place by shotgun_sinner:
Post-Fall, Hannibal recovers from his injuries. Will takes care of him, and their relationship evolves much more easily than Hannibal thought it would. The only issue is that Will is a constant presence, and he hasn't had alone time in three years. It ends up not being an issue at all.
one of the first post-fall fics i remember reading years ago that touched on Hannibal's touch-starved state and i've been hooked on that trope ever since lol. always a fave to re-read from time to time.
and the first time that you kissed me, i drank dry the River Lethe by cerviidae:
“Would you like me to come over?”
Silence stretches between them, taut and trembling. Then, the faintest sound—a throat clicking, a breath stalling. Hannibal can already see the war in Will's mind, the reasons she is telling herself not to accept. The burden she is convincing herself she must not be. Hannibal does not give her the chance to refuse.
“I would not mind.” A pause. A breath.
Then, finally, “Yes.”
*this is not a fic focusing on Hannibal's vulnerability, but it is one of my new favorites i've come across.* it's a genderswap AU of an exploration into their physical relationship. Hannibal and Will are both desperate to satisfy the other and it is so tender. this may be hands down the most beautiful smut fic i've ever read?!
earl grey and honey by cerviidae:
Will’s tenderness is a constant. And what a gift it is. Will conjures summer itself through sheer will, as though he could pull Hannibal out of winter’s grasp and set him down in a field of green and gold. Hannibal knows nothing of the ache of bones any longer. His days are filled with cooking and cleaning, the motions of care and love. He kneads dough with his mother’s frantic energy, channels her restless hands into feeding Will, keeping him full. And Will, in turn, keeps him warm. It is love.
any time i read anything by this author, i know i'm about to be wailing my heart out. this is incredible and so lovely.
Verisimilitude by becks:
Will Graham can't believe it when they tell him Hannibal Lecter's dead.
Good. He shouldn't.
(Or: An experimental lobotomy and its unanticipated aftermath.)
i remember reading this years ago and it was so incredible!i've never read a fic with this plot and it was executed perfectly. the end of the last chapter? an absolute masterpiece. i was on the edge of my seat. it's incomplete, but i hope one day the author returns to this fic because it's one of my favorite ever and such a unique exploration of Hannibal and Will's relationship.
Vulnerable Hannibal Fic Rec List
Updated 2/3/2025 with four new additions located at the bottom of the page! A few of these fics are mine, but the rest are some of my favorite fics I've ever read that feature vulnerable Hannibal in various seasons, AUs, and post-canon.
shrike (to your sharp and glorious thorn):
Will begins to notice a change in Hannibal's behavior post-fall. He's become something akin to a fretting housewife.
The Ache Against The Wind (Rewritten):
3x13 AU: Will travels into an alternate dimension after plunging into the Atlantic and is confronted with the unexpected aftermath following the removal of Hannibal's toilet in the BSHCI.
Pareidolia:
Six weeks post-fall, Hannibal suffers from a seizure during dinner.
Je Te Laisserai Des Mots:
Six months have passed since Will pulled them over the cliff. Even in light of their progressing relationship, much of Hannibal still remains a mystery to Will. For reasons unknown, he’s begun to pull away. (A sequel to Shrike--my housewife Hannibal fic!)
Between The Hour Of Reprieve:
At the cliff house, Hannibal receives a much-needed-hug.
A Cabin In The Woods by KoolJack1:
Hannibal is thirteen and runs away from the orphanage when he feels that a fate of the elements will be better than the fate of abuse. He finds a small cabin in the woods, thinking warmth will be all he finds. He also finds Will. But who changes who?
this is absolutely amazing. i've never read an AU quite like this. a true masterpiece.
Recipricol Alchemy by Scifibabe:
In the silent echoes of his dreams, Will Graham treads a line blurred between control and chaos, each step drawing him inexorably towards claiming Hannibal as his own. It's a perilous dance on the edge of darkness, where the thrill of possession whispers of a transformation too profound to resist.
one of my faves. i can't even describe how perfect this explores their season 2 dynamic. such a unique trajectory and i am living for it.
Hold Me, Don’t Let Me Go by sourweather:
It's a few months after the Fall when it finally hits him. Hannibal has barely been touched in 3 years. And Will won't let it go on for another moment.
so precious omg. love it
Hosanna In The Highest by sainthannibal:
During the fall, Hannibal receives the brunt of the injuries, which leaves him unable to care for himself. Will discovers how much he enjoys taking care of him.
the post-fall whump is immaculate 🤧 love it
You Made Me Soup by itsybitsylemonsqueezy:
Hannibal comes down with pneumonia while incarcerated. Will decides to make him some soup. Absolutely no one thinks it's strange that Will comes to give his ex soup when he finds out he's sick. No one at all finds this suspicious. At. All.
god, i love this one so much. sick hannibal being hand-fed in the BSHCI? wailing my heart out
The Boy Under The Monster’s Bed by Wr4tttttthh:
There were deep wounds that needed healing, new and old, physical and otherwise.
one of my faves. Will finding Hannibal hiding under the table? a gut punch 😭
Delicate Ghost by hannigramcracker & TimmyJayBird:
She was different- not the ghost of his memories, but something about this bloodied child ripped right at Hannibal's chest, and left him drowning in a cold snow he thought he had left in his childhood, that he had locked away within his skull. Drowning, with only one hand to grasp at, one body to cling to. One man to work him through the trauma and remind him what life was.
so amazing. a unique perspective of how Will would deal with Hannibal becoming distressed while on a case together. one of the first vulnerable hannibal fics i've ever read 🥺
You With Those Nails, Me With This Cross by TheBitterKitten:
Will goes too far.
wailing into my pillow omg this had the perfect amount of angst.
The Distance Is Quite Simply Much Too Far For Me To Row by softhan:
Hannibal is having a rough time recovering from his injuries post-fall, and retreats into himself to avoid confrontation with Will while he's still weak and ill. Having to play happy husbands hardly helps.
my all time fave Hannibal whump fic. the way he's scared Will is disgusted by his accident? eternally sobbing. forever recommending this to anyone who is searching through this rec list.
Silk and Lace by jonnimir:
Bedelia leaves Hannibal and Will a gift at the house on the cliff.
crying because this was so tender and sweet. touch-starved hannibal at the cliff house. chef's kiss.
Not So Fast by scifibabe:
Hannibal wakes from a heated dream with a need that can’t be ignored—and Will, half-asleep but all too eager, is more than happy to help. What begins as a midnight indulgence quickly spirals into an overwhelming game of push and pull, as Will’s relentless appetite pushes Hannibal to the edge and beyond. Kinktober Day 10: Overstimulation + Face-Sitting
desperate and needy hannibal. need i say more? loved it 🤭
Hush Now by scifibabe:
What starts as Will stitching up Hannibal's latest hunting injury turns into something else entirely when a teasing "let Daddy take care of you" slips out. It's meant to be a joke--until Hannibal's reaction tells a different story. One playful push leads to another, and soon enough, they're both realizing they might be into this a little more than they expected. Kinktober Day 19: Fisting.
I truly cannot recommend Hush Now enough! It'll live rent free in my mind and heart for the rest of my life ♡
The Antidote To Grief by incidentsofunkownorigins:
On Will's idea, they visit Mischa's grave. What Will had hoped to be a healing moment of closure breaks something in Hannibal and he is the only one who can put the pieces back together.
this is such a beautiful take on Hannibal and Will visiting Lithuania together and how that would impact Hannibal. ♡
Pulse Point:
Post-Fall, an injured Hannibal awakes from an erotic dream, desperate and needy, aching for Will's touch.
Marveling at a Spoon by scifibabe:
After a gourmet dinner, Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter decide to indulge in something a little more... pedestrian—a joint. As the smoke settles and their usual control begins to loosen, Hannibal finds himself experiencing a sensation he never expected: a heightened sensitivity that unravels him under Will’s teasing touch. What starts as a curious experiment in relaxation quickly turns into a surprising discovery, one that leaves even the meticulous Hannibal completely undone. Will is all too eager to take advantage of his newfound knowledge, and Hannibal, for once, is too overwhelmed to resist.
god, i loved this so much.
We Are Now Among The Ruins by ADeedWithoutAName:
Hannibal survived the fall, but not unchanged. He intends to give Will the only gift he now can, and Will intends to honor him in the only way that matters.
i rarely read MCD, but this one is so worth the pain. i am eternally sobbing from this 😭 i also cannot recommend this one enough!!
Something Sacred by scifibabe:
In the quiet aftermath of their survival, silence has taken hold. Hannibal hasn't spoken since the night they washed ashore, his voice swallowed by their shared trauma. Will, haunted by the absence of words and the weight of unspoken things, has learned to reach Hannibal through touch, through the quiet rituals of care. When the strain of Hannibal’s pain becomes too much to hide, Will draws a bath—an unspoken offer of comfort. But today is different. Today, beneath the surface of familiar rituals, something stirs. As the warmth of the water surrounds them, walls begin to crack, and a fragile trust, once guarded so fiercely, blooms into something more intimate and vulnerable than either of them anticipated. In the quiet steam of the bath, two men find solace in each other’s arms, where tenderness can no longer be ignored.
this was so beautiful and soft omg. forever wailing about Hannibal asking Will to join him in the bath. ♡
A Pinch Of Salt In The Wound:
Renderered mute and bedbound post-fall, Hannibal begins to spiral.
You Believe Me Like A God:
Hannibal becomes severely injured post-episode 3x13.
compimento by cervviidae:
Hannibal learns what it's like to be Will's husband.
one of the most beautiful fics i've ever read that explore post-fall hannibal being loved with genuine tenderness and affection by Will. one i'll forever recommend.
Solace In Being Heard by air_of_the_Waterfall:
Hannibal is having terrible nightmares, and Will comes up with a rather unexpected method of helping him get a full night’s sleep.
i love that this offers such a unique look into Hannibal's childhood trauma and how it would impact his sleep. can't recommend it enough!
Bright Burn by Shotgun_sinner:
Hannibal suffers life-threatening injuries post-fall. Will makes decisions to save Hannibal, while trying to recover the life with him that he's only just realized he wanted. How far will he go to keep what's his?
the whump is immaculate in this post-fall fic too 🤧
crave, then succumb:
Hannibal receives a second hug post-fall, while high as a kite on morphine, and ends up unraveling in Will's arms.
chimera of the chapel by bleakmidwinter:
When Will Graham wakes up from a coma three months after the fall, Jack reveals that Hannibal Lecter didn't survive. Outside the realm of Hannibal's influence, Will decides to discover the full truth behind the world's sudden and seeming falsehood. Everybody seems to hold their own opinion on Hannibal's fate, but Will knows better than anyone that trust and honesty are as elusive as death.
incredible. i can't even express how much i loved this. the tender moments and development of their relationship is so beautiful 😭♥️
Keep Me Warm by nbcravenstag:
Will arrives home after walking through a blizzard, fully expecting an angry husband, but instead finds a traumatized little boy, terrified of the cold and haunted by what he's already lost.
the hurt/comfort in this was amazing. love it so much.
Beauty Not Needed Here by kralbellen:
“I know you are in love with me.”
It's not a question but not fully a statement either. A certain amount of doubt colores Will's tone, giving the sentence a nervous lilt.
Hannibal's first instinct is to deny it, in some half-hearted, last effort at self-preservation. He almost smiles – there is no self-preservation left for him when it comes to Will.
Hannibal is asexual. this was so tender and sweet. eternally wailing into my pillow. as someone who's ace this was like a breath of fresh air.
O Holy Night by memequeen1127:
Hannibal gazes at him right back, smiling as if he knows exactly what Will’s thinking. And considering how they know each other inside and out, he very well might.
“Merry Christmas, Will,” he says softly.
Will smiles. “Merry Christmas, Hannibal.”
the sweetest oneshot i've ever read. Hannibal regresses during Christmas and Will is so patient and caring. wailing about this until the end of time 😭🩵
The Perception Of Reality Through Language by Angelic_Disaster:
Hannibal can recognize the factors of trauma in others but not in himself. That's why he denies that there is a reason why he doesn't speak Lithuanian.
sobbing at this for eternity. Will speaking to Hannibal in Lithuanian and then Hannibal breaks down in his arms?? i couldn't ask for anything more beautiful than that in a fic.
Living With A Ghost Of Summer by itsbeautiful:
Based on a requested prompt. Where Will is an idiot, ahem, I mean Will loves Hannibal and tries to surprise him by making a home cooked meal using dishes from Lithuania. Fails spectacularly to lie his way out of it and everything goes horribly wrong. And then they cuddle. The end.
one of my favorites. Will cooks Lithuanian food for Hannibal, who ends up becoming an emotional mess.
Know Me See Me by incidentsofunknownorigins:
On the way to the cliff house, Will makes a decision for himself. Once they get there, he acts on it. But he finds Hannibal is much more deeply broken by his stay at the BSHCI than either of them realized. This time Will must put the teacup back together.
the premise of this fic is something i've been searching for and craving to read for so, so long (eternity, basically) because there can never be enough cliff house fics that explore Hannibal being touch-starved and vulnerable and dealing with the effects of being isolated for three long years. ♡
between here and there by hannigramized:
Will's name is the last word Hannibal spoke in his presence. That was two months ago, directly after the fall, and Hannibal has not said a single word since. Now Will has to navigate through their lives together without Hannibal's voice to guide him.
love this so much! it's the most amazing mute!Hannibal fic i've ever read.
Take Me The Way I Am by Thinminted:
Will didn’t miss Molly, not really, but he occasionally missed who he was when he was with her.
A story about learning to trust your partner with all of yourself.
a very beautiful exploration of Hannibal and Will's developing relationship post-fall.
èclair by cerviidae:
Hannibal touches dough instead of skin. Hannibal is kissed by the feeling of flour on his lips, accidental and impersonal, instead of by the mouth of the man he loves. Three years in confinement had starved him, and now, though his body is healed, his soul remains ravenous. He cleans most of what he can of the whipped cream, scooping it back into another piping bag as he wills himself not to be irrational about this. This mess, this imperfection—it means nothing at all.
amazing post-fall fic about Hannibal's insecurity about being enough to satisfy Will in everyday life and also explores their developing physical relationship and how Hannibal's touch-starved state would have an impact on that. so beautiful. genuinely left me speechless.
Home Is Not A Place by shotgun_sinner:
Post-Fall, Hannibal recovers from his injuries. Will takes care of him, and their relationship evolves much more easily than Hannibal thought it would. The only issue is that Will is a constant presence, and he hasn't had alone time in three years. It ends up not being an issue at all.
one of the first post-fall fics i remember reading years ago that touched on Hannibal's touch-starved state and i've been hooked on that trope ever since lol. always a fave to re-read from time to time.
and the first time that you kissed me, i drank dry the River Lethe by cerviidae:
“Would you like me to come over?”
Silence stretches between them, taut and trembling. Then, the faintest sound—a throat clicking, a breath stalling. Hannibal can already see the war in Will's mind, the reasons she is telling herself not to accept. The burden she is convincing herself she must not be. Hannibal does not give her the chance to refuse.
“I would not mind.” A pause. A breath.
Then, finally, “Yes.”
a genderswap AU of an exploration into their physical relationship. Hannibal and Will are both desperate to satisfy the other and it is so tender. this may be hands down the most beautiful smut fic i've ever read?!
earl grey and honey by cerviidae:
Will’s tenderness is a constant. And what a gift it is. Will conjures summer itself through sheer will, as though he could pull Hannibal out of winter’s grasp and set him down in a field of green and gold. Hannibal knows nothing of the ache of bones any longer. His days are filled with cooking and cleaning, the motions of care and love. He kneads dough with his mother’s frantic energy, channels her restless hands into feeding Will, keeping him full. And Will, in turn, keeps him warm. It is love.
any time i read anything by this author, i know i'm about to be wailing my heart out. this is incredible and so lovely.
Vulnerable Hannibal Fic Rec List
Updated 2/1/2025 with one new addition located at the bottom of the page. A few of these fics are mine, but the rest are some of my favorite fics I've ever read that feature vulnerable Hannibal in various seasons, AUs, and post-canon.
shrike (to your sharp and glorious thorn):
Will begins to notice a change in Hannibal's behavior post-fall. He's become something akin to a fretting housewife.
The Ache Against The Wind (Rewritten):
3x13 AU: Will travels into an alternate dimension after plunging into the Atlantic and is confronted with the unexpected aftermath following the removal of Hannibal's toilet in the BSHCI.
Pareidolia:
Six weeks post-fall, Hannibal suffers from a seizure during dinner.
Je Te Laisserai Des Mots:
Six months have passed since Will pulled them over the cliff. Even in light of their progressing relationship, much of Hannibal still remains a mystery to Will. For reasons unknown, he’s begun to pull away. (A sequel to Shrike--my housewife Hannibal fic!)
Between The Hour Of Reprieve:
At the cliff house, Hannibal receives a much-needed-hug.
A Cabin In The Woods by KoolJack1:
Hannibal is thirteen and runs away from the orphanage when he feels that a fate of the elements will be better than the fate of abuse. He finds a small cabin in the woods, thinking warmth will be all he finds. He also finds Will. But who changes who?
this is absolutely amazing. i've never read an AU quite like this. a true masterpiece.
Recipricol Alchemy by Scifibabe:
In the silent echoes of his dreams, Will Graham treads a line blurred between control and chaos, each step drawing him inexorably towards claiming Hannibal as his own. It's a perilous dance on the edge of darkness, where the thrill of possession whispers of a transformation too profound to resist.
one of my faves. i can't even describe how perfect this explores their season 2 dynamic. such a unique trajectory and i am living for it.
Hold Me, Don’t Let Me Go by sourweather:
It's a few months after the Fall when it finally hits him. Hannibal has barely been touched in 3 years. And Will won't let it go on for another moment.
so precious omg. love it
Hosanna In The Highest by sainthannibal:
During the fall, Hannibal receives the brunt of the injuries, which leaves him unable to care for himself. Will discovers how much he enjoys taking care of him.
the post-fall whump is immaculate 🤧 love it
You Made Me Soup by itsybitsylemonsqueezy:
Hannibal comes down with pneumonia while incarcerated. Will decides to make him some soup. Absolutely no one thinks it's strange that Will comes to give his ex soup when he finds out he's sick. No one at all finds this suspicious. At. All.
god, i love this one so much. sick hannibal being hand-fed in the BSHCI? wailing my heart out
The Boy Under The Monster’s Bed by Wr4tttttthh:
There were deep wounds that needed healing, new and old, physical and otherwise.
one of my faves. Will finding Hannibal hiding under the table? a gut punch 😭
Delicate Ghost by hannigramcracker & TimmyJayBird:
She was different- not the ghost of his memories, but something about this bloodied child ripped right at Hannibal's chest, and left him drowning in a cold snow he thought he had left in his childhood, that he had locked away within his skull. Drowning, with only one hand to grasp at, one body to cling to. One man to work him through the trauma and remind him what life was.
so amazing. a unique perspective of how Will would deal with Hannibal becoming distressed while on a case together. one of the first vulnerable hannibal fics i've ever read 🥺
You With Those Nails, Me With This Cross by TheBitterKitten:
Will goes too far.
wailing into my pillow omg this had the perfect amount of angst.
The Distance Is Quite Simply Much Too Far For Me To Row by softhan:
Hannibal is having a rough time recovering from his injuries post-fall, and retreats into himself to avoid confrontation with Will while he's still weak and ill. Having to play happy husbands hardly helps.
my all time fave Hannibal whump fic. the way he's scared Will is disgusted by his accident? eternally sobbing. forever recommending this to anyone who is searching through this rec list.
Silk and Lace by jonnimir:
Bedelia leaves Hannibal and Will a gift at the house on the cliff.
crying because this was so tender and sweet. touch-starved hannibal at the cliff house. chef's kiss.
Not So Fast by scifibabe:
Hannibal wakes from a heated dream with a need that can’t be ignored—and Will, half-asleep but all too eager, is more than happy to help. What begins as a midnight indulgence quickly spirals into an overwhelming game of push and pull, as Will’s relentless appetite pushes Hannibal to the edge and beyond. Kinktober Day 10: Overstimulation + Face-Sitting
desperate and needy hannibal. need i say more? loved it 🤭
Hush Now by scifibabe:
What starts as Will stitching up Hannibal's latest hunting injury turns into something else entirely when a teasing "let Daddy take care of you" slips out. It's meant to be a joke--until Hannibal's reaction tells a different story. One playful push leads to another, and soon enough, they're both realizing they might be into this a little more than they expected. Kinktober Day 19: Fisting.
I truly cannot recommend Hush Now enough! It'll live rent free in my mind and heart for the rest of my life ♡
The Antidote To Grief by incidentsofunkownorigins:
On Will's idea, they visit Mischa's grave. What Will had hoped to be a healing moment of closure breaks something in Hannibal and he is the only one who can put the pieces back together.
this is such a beautiful take on Hannibal and Will visiting Lithuania together and how that would impact Hannibal. ♡
Pulse Point:
Post-Fall, an injured Hannibal awakes from an erotic dream, desperate and needy, aching for Will's touch.
Marveling at a Spoon by scifibabe:
After a gourmet dinner, Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter decide to indulge in something a little more... pedestrian—a joint. As the smoke settles and their usual control begins to loosen, Hannibal finds himself experiencing a sensation he never expected: a heightened sensitivity that unravels him under Will’s teasing touch. What starts as a curious experiment in relaxation quickly turns into a surprising discovery, one that leaves even the meticulous Hannibal completely undone. Will is all too eager to take advantage of his newfound knowledge, and Hannibal, for once, is too overwhelmed to resist.
god, i loved this so much.
We Are Now Among The Ruins by ADeedWithoutAName:
Hannibal survived the fall, but not unchanged. He intends to give Will the only gift he now can, and Will intends to honor him in the only way that matters.
i rarely read MCD, but this one is so worth the pain. i am eternally sobbing from this 😭 i also cannot recommend this one enough!!
Something Sacred by scifibabe:
In the quiet aftermath of their survival, silence has taken hold. Hannibal hasn't spoken since the night they washed ashore, his voice swallowed by their shared trauma. Will, haunted by the absence of words and the weight of unspoken things, has learned to reach Hannibal through touch, through the quiet rituals of care. When the strain of Hannibal’s pain becomes too much to hide, Will draws a bath—an unspoken offer of comfort. But today is different. Today, beneath the surface of familiar rituals, something stirs. As the warmth of the water surrounds them, walls begin to crack, and a fragile trust, once guarded so fiercely, blooms into something more intimate and vulnerable than either of them anticipated. In the quiet steam of the bath, two men find solace in each other’s arms, where tenderness can no longer be ignored.
this was so beautiful and soft omg. forever wailing about Hannibal asking Will to join him in the bath. ♡
A Pinch Of Salt In The Wound:
Renderered mute and bedbound post-fall, Hannibal begins to spiral.
You Believe Me Like A God:
Hannibal becomes severely injured post-episode 3x13.
compimento by cervviidae:
Hannibal learns what it's like to be Will's husband.
one of the most beautiful fics i've ever read that explore post-fall hannibal being loved with genuine tenderness and affection by Will. one i'll forever recommend.
Solace In Being Heard by air_of_the_Waterfall:
Hannibal is having terrible nightmares, and Will comes up with a rather unexpected method of helping him get a full night’s sleep.
i love that this offers such a unique look into Hannibal's childhood trauma and how it would impact his sleep. can't recommend it enough!
Bright Burn by Shotgun_sinner:
Hannibal suffers life-threatening injuries post-fall. Will makes decisions to save Hannibal, while trying to recover the life with him that he's only just realized he wanted. How far will he go to keep what's his?
the whump is immaculate in this post-fall fic too 🤧
crave, then succumb:
Hannibal receives a second hug post-fall, while high as a kite on morphine, and ends up unraveling in Will's arms.
chimera of the chapel by bleakmidwinter:
When Will Graham wakes up from a coma three months after the fall, Jack reveals that Hannibal Lecter didn't survive. Outside the realm of Hannibal's influence, Will decides to discover the full truth behind the world's sudden and seeming falsehood. Everybody seems to hold their own opinion on Hannibal's fate, but Will knows better than anyone that trust and honesty are as elusive as death.
incredible. i can't even express how much i loved this. the tender moments and development of their relationship is so beautiful 😭♥️
Keep Me Warm by nbcravenstag:
Will arrives home after walking through a blizzard, fully expecting an angry husband, but instead finds a traumatized little boy, terrified of the cold and haunted by what he's already lost.
the hurt/comfort in this was amazing. love it so much.
Beauty Not Needed Here by kralbellen:
“I know you are in love with me.”
It's not a question but not fully a statement either. A certain amount of doubt colores Will's tone, giving the sentence a nervous lilt.
Hannibal's first instinct is to deny it, in some half-hearted, last effort at self-preservation. He almost smiles – there is no self-preservation left for him when it comes to Will.
Hannibal is asexual. this was so tender and sweet. eternally wailing into my pillow. as someone who's ace this was like a breath of fresh air.
O Holy Night by memequeen1127:
Hannibal gazes at him right back, smiling as if he knows exactly what Will’s thinking. And considering how they know each other inside and out, he very well might.
“Merry Christmas, Will,” he says softly.
Will smiles. “Merry Christmas, Hannibal.”
the sweetest oneshot i've ever read. Hannibal regresses during Christmas and Will is so patient and caring. wailing about this until the end of time 😭🩵
The Perception Of Reality Through Language by Angelic_Disaster:
Hannibal can recognize the factors of trauma in others but not in himself. That's why he denies that there is a reason why he doesn't speak Lithuanian.
sobbing at this for eternity. Will speaking to Hannibal in Lithuanian and then Hannibal breaks down in his arms?? i couldn't ask for anything more beautiful than that in a fic.
Living With A Ghost Of Summer by itsbeautiful:
Based on a requested prompt. Where Will is an idiot, ahem, I mean Will loves Hannibal and tries to surprise him by making a home cooked meal using dishes from Lithuania. Fails spectacularly to lie his way out of it and everything goes horribly wrong. And then they cuddle. The end.
one of my favorites. Will cooks Lithuanian food for Hannibal, who ends up becoming an emotional mess.
Know Me See Me by incidentsofunknownorigins:
On the way to the cliff house, Will makes a decision for himself. Once they get there, he acts on it. But he finds Hannibal is much more deeply broken by his stay at the BSHCI than either of them realized. This time Will must put the teacup back together.
the premise of this fic is something i've been searching for and craving to read for so, so long (eternity, basically) because there can never be enough cliff house fics that explore Hannibal being touch-starved and vulnerable and dealing with the effects of being isolated for three long years. ♡
between here and there by hannigramized:
Will's name is the last word Hannibal spoke in his presence. That was two months ago, directly after the fall, and Hannibal has not said a single word since. Now Will has to navigate through their lives together without Hannibal's voice to guide him.
love this so much! it's the most amazing mute!Hannibal fic i've ever read.
Take Me The Way I Am by Thinminted:
Will didn’t miss Molly, not really, but he occasionally missed who he was when he was with her.
A story about learning to trust your partner with all of yourself.
a very beautiful exploration of Hannibal and Will's developing relationship post-fall.
Vulnerable Hannibal Fic Rec List
Updated 1/13/2025 with three new additions located at the bottom of the page. A few of these fics are mine, but the rest are some of my favorite fics I've ever read that feature vulnerable Hannibal in various seasons, AUs, and post-canon.
shrike (to your sharp and glorious thorn):
Will begins to notice a change in Hannibal's behavior post-fall. He's become something akin to a fretting housewife.
The Ache Against The Wind (Rewritten):
3x13 AU: Will travels into an alternate dimension after plunging into the Atlantic and is confronted with the unexpected aftermath following the removal of Hannibal's toilet in the BSHCI.
Pareidolia:
Six weeks post-fall, Hannibal suffers from a seizure during dinner.
Je Te Laisserai Des Mots:
Six months have passed since Will pulled them over the cliff. Even in light of their progressing relationship, much of Hannibal still remains a mystery to Will. For reasons unknown, he’s begun to pull away. (A sequel to Shrike--my housewife Hannibal fic!)
Between The Hour Of Reprieve:
At the cliff house, Hannibal receives a much-needed-hug.
A Cabin In The Woods by KoolJack1:
Hannibal is thirteen and runs away from the orphanage when he feels that a fate of the elements will be better than the fate of abuse. He finds a small cabin in the woods, thinking warmth will be all he finds. He also finds Will. But who changes who?
this is absolutely amazing. i've never read an AU quite like this. a true masterpiece.
Recipricol Alchemy by Scifibabe:
In the silent echoes of his dreams, Will Graham treads a line blurred between control and chaos, each step drawing him inexorably towards claiming Hannibal as his own. It's a perilous dance on the edge of darkness, where the thrill of possession whispers of a transformation too profound to resist.
one of my faves. i can't even describe how perfect this explores their season 2 dynamic. such a unique trajectory and i am living for it.
Hold Me, Don’t Let Me Go by sourweather:
It's a few months after the Fall when it finally hits him. Hannibal has barely been touched in 3 years. And Will won't let it go on for another moment.
so precious omg. love it
Hosanna In The Highest by sainthannibal:
During the fall, Hannibal receives the brunt of the injuries, which leaves him unable to care for himself. Will discovers how much he enjoys taking care of him.
the post-fall whump is immaculate 🤧 love it
You Made Me Soup by itsybitsylemonsqueezy:
Hannibal comes down with pneumonia while incarcerated. Will decides to make him some soup. Absolutely no one thinks it's strange that Will comes to give his ex soup when he finds out he's sick. No one at all finds this suspicious. At. All.
god, i love this one so much. sick hannibal being hand-fed in the BSHCI? wailing my heart out
The Boy Under The Monster’s Bed by Wr4tttttthh:
There were deep wounds that needed healing, new and old, physical and otherwise.
one of my faves. Will finding Hannibal hiding under the table? a gut punch 😭
Delicate Ghost by hannigramcracker & TimmyJayBird:
She was different- not the ghost of his memories, but something about this bloodied child ripped right at Hannibal's chest, and left him drowning in a cold snow he thought he had left in his childhood, that he had locked away within his skull. Drowning, with only one hand to grasp at, one body to cling to. One man to work him through the trauma and remind him what life was.
so amazing. a unique perspective of how Will would deal with Hannibal becoming distressed while on a case together. one of the first vulnerable hannibal fics i've ever read 🥺
You With Those Nails, Me With This Cross by TheBitterKitten:
Will goes too far.
wailing into my pillow omg this had the perfect amount of angst.
The Distance Is Quite Simply Much Too Far For Me To Row by softhan:
Hannibal is having a rough time recovering from his injuries post-fall, and retreats into himself to avoid confrontation with Will while he's still weak and ill. Having to play happy husbands hardly helps.
my all time fave Hannibal whump fic. the way he's scared Will is disgusted by his accident? eternally sobbing. forever recommending this to anyone who is searching through this rec list.
Silk and Lace by jonnimir:
Bedelia leaves Hannibal and Will a gift at the house on the cliff.
crying because this was so tender and sweet. touch-starved hannibal at the cliff house. chef's kiss.
Not So Fast by scifibabe:
Hannibal wakes from a heated dream with a need that can’t be ignored—and Will, half-asleep but all too eager, is more than happy to help. What begins as a midnight indulgence quickly spirals into an overwhelming game of push and pull, as Will’s relentless appetite pushes Hannibal to the edge and beyond. Kinktober Day 10: Overstimulation + Face-Sitting
desperate and needy hannibal. need i say more? loved it 🤭
Hush Now by scifibabe:
What starts as Will stitching up Hannibal's latest hunting injury turns into something else entirely when a teasing "let Daddy take care of you" slips out. It's meant to be a joke--until Hannibal's reaction tells a different story. One playful push leads to another, and soon enough, they're both realizing they might be into this a little more than they expected. Kinktober Day 19: Fisting.
I truly cannot recommend Hush Now enough! It'll live rent free in my mind and heart for the rest of my life ♡
The Antidote To Grief by incidentsofunkownorigins:
On Will's idea, they visit Mischa's grave. What Will had hoped to be a healing moment of closure breaks something in Hannibal and he is the only one who can put the pieces back together.
this is such a beautiful take on Hannibal and Will visiting Lithuania together and how that would impact Hannibal. ♡
Pulse Point:
Post-Fall, an injured Hannibal awakes from an erotic dream, desperate and needy, aching for Will's touch.
Marveling at a Spoon by scifibabe:
After a gourmet dinner, Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter decide to indulge in something a little more... pedestrian—a joint. As the smoke settles and their usual control begins to loosen, Hannibal finds himself experiencing a sensation he never expected: a heightened sensitivity that unravels him under Will’s teasing touch. What starts as a curious experiment in relaxation quickly turns into a surprising discovery, one that leaves even the meticulous Hannibal completely undone. Will is all too eager to take advantage of his newfound knowledge, and Hannibal, for once, is too overwhelmed to resist.
god, i loved this so much.
We Are Now Among The Ruins by ADeedWithoutAName:
Hannibal survived the fall, but not unchanged. He intends to give Will the only gift he now can, and Will intends to honor him in the only way that matters.
i rarely read MCD, but this one is so worth the pain. i am eternally sobbing from this 😭 i also cannot recommend this one enough!!
Something Sacred by scifibabe:
In the quiet aftermath of their survival, silence has taken hold. Hannibal hasn't spoken since the night they washed ashore, his voice swallowed by their shared trauma. Will, haunted by the absence of words and the weight of unspoken things, has learned to reach Hannibal through touch, through the quiet rituals of care. When the strain of Hannibal’s pain becomes too much to hide, Will draws a bath—an unspoken offer of comfort. But today is different. Today, beneath the surface of familiar rituals, something stirs. As the warmth of the water surrounds them, walls begin to crack, and a fragile trust, once guarded so fiercely, blooms into something more intimate and vulnerable than either of them anticipated. In the quiet steam of the bath, two men find solace in each other’s arms, where tenderness can no longer be ignored.
this was so beautiful and soft omg. forever wailing about Hannibal asking Will to join him in the bath. ♡
A Pinch Of Salt In The Wound:
Renderered mute and bedbound post-fall, Hannibal begins to spiral.
You Believe Me Like A God:
Hannibal becomes severely injured post-episode 3x13.
compimento by cervviidae:
Hannibal learns what it's like to be Will's husband.
one of the most beautiful fics i've ever read that explore post-fall hannibal being loved with genuine tenderness and affection by Will. one i'll forever recommend.
Solace In Being Heard by air_of_the_Waterfall:
Hannibal is having terrible nightmares, and Will comes up with a rather unexpected method of helping him get a full night’s sleep.
i love that this offers such a unique look into Hannibal's childhood trauma and how it would impact his sleep. can't recommend it enough!
Bright Burn by Shotgun_sinner:
Hannibal suffers life-threatening injuries post-fall. Will makes decisions to save Hannibal, while trying to recover the life with him that he's only just realized he wanted. How far will he go to keep what's his?
the whump is immaculate in this post-fall fic too 🤧
crave, then succumb:
Hannibal receives a second hug post-fall, while high as a kite on morphine, and ends up unraveling in Will's arms.
chimera of the chapel by bleakmidwinter:
When Will Graham wakes up from a coma three months after the fall, Jack reveals that Hannibal Lecter didn't survive. Outside the realm of Hannibal's influence, Will decides to discover the full truth behind the world's sudden and seeming falsehood. Everybody seems to hold their own opinion on Hannibal's fate, but Will knows better than anyone that trust and honesty are as elusive as death.
incredible. i can't even express how much i loved this. the tender moments and development of their relationship is so beautiful 😭♥️
Keep Me Warm by nbcravenstag:
Will arrives home after walking through a blizzard, fully expecting an angry husband, but instead finds a traumatized little boy, terrified of the cold and haunted by what he's already lost.
the hurt/comfort in this was amazing. love it so much.
Beauty Not Needed Here by kralbellen:
“I know you are in love with me.”
It's not a question but not fully a statement either. A certain amount of doubt colores Will's tone, giving the sentence a nervous lilt.
Hannibal's first instinct is to deny it, in some half-hearted, last effort at self-preservation. He almost smiles – there is no self-preservation left for him when it comes to Will.
Hannibal is asexual. this was so tender and sweet. eternally wailing into my pillow. as someone who's ace this was like a breath of fresh air.
O Holy Night by memequeen1127:
Hannibal gazes at him right back, smiling as if he knows exactly what Will’s thinking. And considering how they know each other inside and out, he very well might.
“Merry Christmas, Will,” he says softly.
Will smiles. “Merry Christmas, Hannibal.”
the sweetest oneshot i've ever read. Hannibal regresses during Christmas and Will is so patient and caring. wailing about this until the end of time 😭🩵
The Perception Of Reality Through Language by Angelic_Disaster:
Hannibal can recognize the factors of trauma in others but not in himself. That's why he denies that there is a reason why he doesn't speak Lithuanian.
sobbing at this for eternity. Will speaking to Hannibal in Lithuanian and then Hannibal breaks down in his arms?? i couldn't ask for anything more beautiful than that in a fic.
Living With A Ghost Of Summer by itsbeautiful:
Based on a requested prompt. Where Will is an idiot, ahem, I mean Will loves Hannibal and tries to surprise him by making a home cooked meal using dishes from Lithuania. Fails spectacularly to lie his way out of it and everything goes horribly wrong. And then they cuddle. The end.
one of my favorites. Will cooks Lithuanian food for Hannibal, who ends up becoming an emotional mess.
updated 11/23/2024 with five new additions!
i need to rave about these new additions (except for "crave, then succumb" because that one's mine lol). some of these are very recent reads and some are ones i've rediscovered after not having re-read them in a very long time.
bright burn by shotgun_sinner was one of the first fics i remember reading when i first joined the fandom. before i even had an AO3 account lol. i think it was one of the first vulnerable Hannibal fics i ever read and it was amazing. i vaguely remember what happens. i think this particular fic (and the fic where post-fall Hannibal has explosive diarrhea and vomits in Will's car) both awoke something in me. and i've been devouring every vulnerable Hannibal fic ever since. 😌
compimento by cervviidae is my newest discovery. HOUSEWIFE HANNIBAL LOVERS RISE UP BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN BLESSED WITH A NEW FIC!! i quite literally found it last night and gobbled up every single word. it was so beautiful. i was wailing into my pillow. 😭♥️
solace in being heard by air_of_the_waterfall was one of the first fics i remember reading that explored Hannibal's childhood trauma and vulnerability with Will post-fall. i'm so glad i found it again. i haven't re-read it in a long time, but i definitely will when i have the chance. i remember it had the perfect touch of whump and hurt/comfort. Hannibal sucking on Will's finger during a nightmare?? and then a pacifier? the cry i crowed while reading that for the first time 😭♥️ this fic and its sequel series have lived in my head rent free. love it.
chimera of the chapel by bleakmidwinter is amazing. so much happens. i can't even remember it all. but the development of Will and Hannibal's relationship is so so beautiful. the little intimate moments melted my heart. specifically: when Will asked Hannibal if he'd ever been held like this?? the sob i fucking sobbed 😭♥️ also Will taking Hannibal to Lithuania against his wishes and forcing him to face his trauma head on is chef's kiss. i normally cannot read fics that are this long because i have the attention span of a bug, but it's totally worth the read.
Vulnerable Hannibal Fic Rec List
Updated 11/23/2024 with five new additions located at the bottom of the page! A few of these fics are mine, but the rest are some of my favorite fics I've ever read that feature vulnerable Hannibal in various seasons, AUs, and post-canon.
The Ache Against The Wind (Rewritten):
He’d sustained a substantial amount of brain damage throughout the last eleven days, Will had been told. Resulting in Post-Traumatic Amnesia. Content Warning: Hannibal is tortured in the BSHCI via beatings, laxatives, enemas, starvation and the “water curing” method after his toilet is removed. Will saves him.
Pareidolia:
Six weeks post-fall, Hannibal suffers from a seizure during dinner.
Je Te Laisserai Des Mots:
Six months have passed since Will pulled them over the cliff. Even in light of their progressing relationship, much of Hannibal still remains a mystery to Will. For reasons unknown, he’s begun to pull away. (A sequel to Shrike--my housewife Hannibal fic!)
Between The Hour Of Reprieve:
At the cliff house, Hannibal receives a much-needed-hug.
Shrike (To Your Sharp And Glorious Thorn):
After the fall, Will begins to notice Hannibal’s behavior is becoming akin to a fretting housewife.
A Cabin In The Woods by KoolJack1:
Hannibal is thirteen and runs away from the orphanage when he feels that a fate of the elements will be better than the fate of abuse. He finds a small cabin in the woods, thinking warmth will be all he finds. He also finds Will. But who changes who?
Recipricol Alchemy by Scifibabe:
In the silent echoes of his dreams, Will Graham treads a line blurred between control and chaos, each step drawing him inexorably towards claiming Hannibal as his own. It's a perilous dance on the edge of darkness, where the thrill of possession whispers of a transformation too profound to resist.
Hold Me, Don’t Let Me Go by sourweather:
It's a few months after the Fall when it finally hits him. Hannibal has barely been touched in 3 years. And Will won't let it go on for another moment.
Hosanna In The Highest by sainthannibal:
During the fall, Hannibal receives the brunt of the injuries, which leaves him unable to care for himself. Will discovers how much he enjoys taking care of him.
You Made Me Soup by itsybitsylemonsqueezy:
Hannibal comes down with pneumonia while incarcerated. Will decides to make him some soup. Absolutely no one thinks it's strange that Will comes to give his ex soup when he finds out he's sick. No one at all finds this suspicious. At. All.
The Boy Under The Monster’s Bed by Wr4tttttthh:
There were deep wounds that needed healing, new and old, physical and otherwise.
Delicate Ghost by hannigramcracker & TimmyJayBird:
She was different- not the ghost of his memories, but something about this bloodied child ripped right at Hannibal's chest, and left him drowning in a cold snow he thought he had left in his childhood, that he had locked away within his skull. Drowning, with only one hand to grasp at, one body to cling to. One man to work him through the trauma and remind him what life was.
You With Those Nails, Me With This Cross by TheBitterKitten:
Will goes too far.
The Distance Is Quite Simply Much Too Far For Me To Row by softhan:
Hannibal is having a rough time recovering from his injuries post-fall, and retreats into himself to avoid confrontation with Will while he's still weak and ill. Having to play happy husbands hardly helps.
Silk and Lace by jonnimir:
Bedelia leaves Hannibal and Will a gift at the house on the cliff.
Not So Fast by scifibabe:
Hannibal wakes from a heated dream with a need that can’t be ignored—and Will, half-asleep but all too eager, is more than happy to help. What begins as a midnight indulgence quickly spirals into an overwhelming game of push and pull, as Will’s relentless appetite pushes Hannibal to the edge and beyond. Kinktober Day 10: Overstimulation + Face-Sitting
Hush Now by scifibabe:
What starts as Will stitching up Hannibal's latest hunting injury turns into something else entirely when a teasing "let Daddy take care of you" slips out. It's meant to be a joke--until Hannibal's reaction tells a different story. One playful push leads to another, and soon enough, they're both realizing they might be into this a little more than they expected. Kinktober Day 19: Fisting.
I truly cannot recommend Hush Now enough! It'll live rent free in my mind and heart for the rest of my life ♡
The Antidote To Grief by incidentsofunkownorigins:
On Will's idea, they visit Mischa's grave. What Will had hoped to be a healing moment of closure breaks something in Hannibal and he is the only one who can put the pieces back together.
Pulse Point:
Post-Fall, an injured Hannibal awakes from an erotic dream, desperate and needy, aching for Will's touch.
Marveling at a Spoon by scifibabe:
After a gourmet dinner, Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter decide to indulge in something a little more... pedestrian—a joint. As the smoke settles and their usual control begins to loosen, Hannibal finds himself experiencing a sensation he never expected: a heightened sensitivity that unravels him under Will’s teasing touch. What starts as a curious experiment in relaxation quickly turns into a surprising discovery, one that leaves even the meticulous Hannibal completely undone. Will is all too eager to take advantage of his newfound knowledge, and Hannibal, for once, is too overwhelmed to resist.
We Are Now Among The Ruins by ADeedWithoutAName:
Hannibal survived the fall, but not unchanged. He intends to give Will the only gift he now can, and Will intends to honor him in the only way that matters.
Something Sacred by scifibabe:
In the quiet aftermath of their survival, silence has taken hold. Hannibal hasn't spoken since the night they washed ashore, his voice swallowed by their shared trauma. Will, haunted by the absence of words and the weight of unspoken things, has learned to reach Hannibal through touch, through the quiet rituals of care. When the strain of Hannibal’s pain becomes too much to hide, Will draws a bath—an unspoken offer of comfort. But today is different. Today, beneath the surface of familiar rituals, something stirs. As the warmth of the water surrounds them, walls begin to crack, and a fragile trust, once guarded so fiercely, blooms into something more intimate and vulnerable than either of them anticipated. In the quiet steam of the bath, two men find solace in each other’s arms, where tenderness can no longer be ignored.
A Pinch Of Salt In The Wound:
Renderered mute and bedbound post-fall, Hannibal begins to spiral.
Crystalline:
Hannibal becomes severely injured post-episode 3x13.
compimento by cervviidae:
Hannibal learns what it's like to be Will's husband.
Solace In Being Heard by air_of_the_Waterfall:
Hannibal is having terrible nightmares, and Will comes up with a rather unexpected method of helping him get a full night’s sleep.
Bright Burn by Shotgun_sinner:
Hannibal suffers life-threatening injuries post-fall. Will makes decisions to save Hannibal, while trying to recover the life with him that he's only just realized he wanted. How far will he go to keep what's his?
crave, then succumb:
Hannibal receives a second hug post-fall, while high as a kite on morphine, and ends up unraveling in Will's arms.
chimera of the chapel by bleakmidwinter:
When Will Graham wakes up from a coma three months after the fall, Jack reveals that Hannibal Lecter didn't survive. Outside the realm of Hannibal's influence, Will decides to discover the full truth behind the world's sudden and seeming falsehood. Everybody seems to hold their own opinion on Hannibal's fate, but Will knows better than anyone that trust and honesty are as elusive as death.
this vulnerable Hannibal ramble has a happy ending. i promise. ♡ this post is only meant for people ages 18+ because it does tread into nsfw territory.
don't think about Hannibal noticing cancer symptoms a few months post-fall. specifically, bladder cancer. don't think about Hannibal hiding this from Will because they're on the run after nearly being caught. don't think about Hannibal getting shot in his pelvis during their escape and collapsing to the ground. don't think about Will carrying Hannibal (who whimpers against Will's neck with each abrupt jostle of his body) to safety towards a getaway car. desperately trying to stop the bleeding. finding a small emergency clinic and holding the doctor at gunpoint until Hannibal's wound is tended to.
don't think about Will discovering the news of Hannibal's stage 3 bladder cancer because the doctor states there's no point in saving Hannibal, who only has a few months to live at most. don't think about Will's entire world crumbling in that instance. seeing Hannibal's limp body on the operating table. thinking back to all the times Hannibal winced upon sitting with a full belly after dinner (because it put more pressure on his bladder) and how he would discreetly leave to change into a more comfortable pair of pants or shift in discomfort. don't think about Will passing it off as simple weight gain. then thinking back to the moments when Hannibal would spend long periods of time in the bathroom (scrubbing down the bathroom to limit Will's chance of finding traces of blood in the toilet. or simply straining to urinate).
don't think about Will confronting Hannibal once he's conscious. don't think about Hannibal's face crumpling because he's scared this'll be Will's motivation to leave; to go back to his old life now that Hannibal's is coming to an end. don't think about Hannibal spending these last few months knowing something was wrong; having an inkling there was probably a tumor growing around the area of his groin. yet having no means to get a diagnosis. not without the risk of being caught. not without the risk of losing Will. don't think about Hannibal begging Will to leave; to do the complete opposite of what he truly wants during his last few months of living. because Hannibal doesn't want Will to witness his rapid decline.
don't think about Hannibal and Will crying in each other's arms. don't think about them both having to accept their fate. don't think about Hannibal still attempting to be intimate with Will even as the act of orgasming results in agony instead of pleasure; how it feels like the muscles in his bladder are about to rupture the very last time he's intimate with Will. how he cries out of fear of disappointing Will any further. because he wants it too (this emotional and physical connection) and is disappointed in himself. and he wants to feel a sense of normalcy that he'll never have again. don't think about Will reassuring Hannibal with tender kisses and gentle words. stating sex isn't necessary. not if it only serves to bring Hannibal more and more pain.
don't think about Hannibal being in the bathroom one night and Will waking to an empty bed. finding Hannibal sitting on the toilet instead of standing. exhausted and on the verge of tears (because he needs to relieve the pressure in his bladder and urinate, but the tumor has doubled in size and is causing a blockage). don't think about Hannibal finally breaking down upon seeing Will because the discomfort is rising and his bladder feels as if it's about to explode. don't think about Will rushing to lay Hannibal on the floor and inserting a catheter. whispering frantic apologies and words of reassurance when Hannibal sobs and whimpers from the pain. hugging Hannibal once it's inserted and the pressure eventually abates. rubbing Hannibal's distended abdomen and bladder in soothing circles. don't think about Hannibal having to wear a catheter 24/7 during his last month of life.
don't think about Hannibal waking Will up in the middle of the night. because he knows he doesn't have much time left. don't think about Will awakening to an unfamiliar shift in Hannibal's tone: frail and tinged with fear and desperation for Will. don't think about Will holding Hannibal until the very end. don't think about Will falling asleep with Hannibal's limp body cradled to his chest. don't think about Will living alone for months on end. don't think about Will one day falling asleep in their large bed and somehow time traveling in the past; ending up at the cliff house with this past version of Hannibal (who's just entered the house with Will frozen in place in the driveway because all he can see is the back of Hannibal's head).
don't think about Will's voice breaking when he chokes out a whisper of Hannibal's name. don't think about Hannibal stopping mid-step because hearing his name fall from Will's mouth still feels foreign and it's all he's ever wanted. don't think about all the emotions warring inside Will's mind. don't think about Will striding across the room, hands shaking as he pulls Hannibal into a fierce embrace. don't think about Will whispering the words: "i've missed you so damn much." or even: "hi, baby." because he's overcome with emotion at having a second chance.
(i'll admit that i did in fact type this all out while listening to 'I Bet On Losing Dogs' by Mitski lol. it is perfect inspiration though. because you guys... imagine Will blinking past tears and thinking "i've got my baby back" and being so happy to reunite with Hannibal).
don't think about Will kissing Hannibal with a frenzied desperation and picking Hannibal up to take him to bed. don't think about Hannibal gasping into Will's mouth and feeling nervous and excited all at once. because this is all he's wanted for the last three years. don't think about Will realizing he shouldn't rush this (no matter how overwhelming it feels to be blessed with a second chance) because this is technically Hannibal's first time (even though Will is now familiar with every inch of Hannibal's body and knows what makes him gasp and writhe and tremble with pleasure).
don't think about Will noticing the familiar pinched expression twisting Hannibal's features with visible worry and nervousness. the same expression Will witnessed months ago during their last intimate night together; when Hannibal worried he'd disappointed Will; when Hannibal's agony drowned out every trace of pleasure that Will was desperate to wring out from his weak and easily fatigued body; when it became apparent Hannibal had endured this discomfort for Will's satisfaction. don't think about Will realizing this time that Hannibal's discomfort and apprehension is due to being touch-starved and that he's nervous about climaxing too soon. that it'll disappoint Will.
Will feels the complete opposite of disappointment and wants to witness Hannibal succumb to every pleasurable sensation. even if it ends sooner than Hannibal wants.
imagine Will eating Hannibal out with sheer tenderness. relentless and fluid arcs of his swirling tongue and drawn out suckles. imagine Will's hand reaching between Hannibal's spread legs and wrapping around his throbbing cock. imagine Hannibal's flushed face buried in the bed sheets, fingers clawing at the comforter for stability because he never expected his first time with Will to be like this. imagine Hannibal on the verge of sobbing because it's too much; too foreign of a sensation; being touched and coaxed towards a rapidly approaching climax by a skilled mouth and a steady hand. being worshipped by Will after enduring years of forced celibacy.
imagine Will clutching one of Hannibal's trembling hands and reminding Hannibal it's okay to come; that he doesn't have to wait any longer; that he deserves this. imagine Will's thumb smoothing over Hannibal's twitching knuckles. Will's tongue diving back in between Hannibal's red and chafed cheeks. Hannibal's movements and whimpers bordering on frantic as he thrusts into the calloused cage of Will's fist until he's ultimately overcome by a breath-stealing climax.
imagine Will cherishing this moment with his entire heart. knowing he was once again able to bring Hannibal over the threshold of desperation and into the pleasure of release without any trace of pain. something he hasn't been able to do in a very long time.
imagine Will kissing every inch of Hannibal's sweaty skin. leading Hannibal (who's legs are shaking, rendering him off balance) into the shower. washing Hannibal's hair and body with gentle touches. kissing away Hannibal's silent tears of overwhelm. washing Hannibal's back. kissing Hannibal's nape and the Verger brand. wrapping his arms around Hannibal's waist. hands trailing over the thick hair curling over Hannibal's groin; right around the area of Hannibal's bladder; searching for any signs of discomfort. feeling his heart skip a beat when Hannibal's breath hitches; out of overwhelm or pain, he can't be sure and doesn't dare to ask. not wanting to break the peace of this moment. not wanting to alarm Hannibal (who finally seems to have everything he's ever wanted). it's a long-awaited moment Will can't bear to ruin for Hannibal. not right now.
it prompts Will to make a spur of the moment decision that they should leave as soon as possible; flee to another country where Hannibal can get screened for signs of bladder cancer or any other anomalies. when Hannibal eventually questions Will's motives for a finding nearby doctor, he makes an excuse that it's a simple precaution; that it's because Hannibal hasn't been to a doctor in three years. imagine if in this universe, Hannibal's bladder cancer is caught and treated early. imagine if in this universe, Will and Hannibal get their happily ever after. something Will never takes for granted. even during arguments or disagreements.
Updated 10/30/2024 with seven new additions.
Vulnerable Hannibal Fic Rec List
Updated 10/30/2024 with six new additions located at the bottom of the page. A few of these fics are mine, but the rest are some of my favorite fics I’ve ever read that feature vulnerable Hannibal in various seasons, AUs, and post-canon.
The Ache Against The Wind (Rewritten):
He’d sustained a substantial amount of brain damage throughout the last eleven days, Will had been told. Resulting in Post-Traumatic Amnesia.
Content Warning: Hannibal is tortured in the BSHCI via beatings, laxatives, enemas, starvation and the “water curing” method after his toilet is removed. Will saves him.
Pareidolia:
Six weeks post-fall, Hannibal suffers from a seizure during dinner.
Je Te Laisserai Des Mots:
Six months have passed since Will pulled them over the cliff. Even in light of their progressing relationship, much of Hannibal still remains a mystery to Will. For reasons unknown, he’s begun to pull away. (A sequel to Shrike--my housewife Hannibal fic!)
Between The Hour Of Reprieve:
At the cliff house, Hannibal receives a much-needed-hug.
Shrike (To Your Sharp And Glorious Thorn):
After the fall, Will begins to notice Hannibal’s behavior is becoming akin to a fretting housewife.
A Cabin In The Woods by KoolJack1:
Hannibal is thirteen and runs away from the orphanage when he feels that a fate of the elements will be better than the fate of abuse. He finds a small cabin in the woods, thinking warmth will be all he finds. He also finds Will. But who changes who?
Recipricol Alchemy by Scifibabe:
In the silent echoes of his dreams, Will Graham treads a line blurred between control and chaos, each step drawing him inexorably towards claiming Hannibal as his own. It's a perilous dance on the edge of darkness, where the thrill of possession whispers of a transformation too profound to resist.
Hold Me, Don’t Let Me Go by sourweather:
It's a few months after the Fall when it finally hits him. Hannibal has barely been touched in 3 years. And Will won't let it go on for another moment.
Hosanna In The Highest by sainthannibal:
During the fall, Hannibal receives the brunt of the injuries, which leaves him unable to care for himself. Will discovers how much he enjoys taking care of him.
You Made Me Soup by itsybitsylemonsqueezy:
Hannibal comes down with pneumonia while incarcerated. Will decides to make him some soup. Absolutely no one thinks it's strange that Will comes to give his ex soup when he finds out he's sick. No one at all finds this suspicious. At. All.
The Boy Under The Monster’s Bed by Wr4tttttthh:
There were deep wounds that needed healing, new and old, physical and otherwise.
Delicate Ghost by hannigramcracker & TimmyJayBird:
She was different- not the ghost of his memories, but something about this bloodied child ripped right at Hannibal's chest, and left him drowning in a cold snow he thought he had left in his childhood, that he had locked away within his skull. Drowning, with only one hand to grasp at, one body to cling to. One man to work him through the trauma and remind him what life was.
You With Those Nails, Me With This Cross by TheBitterKitten:
Will goes too far.
The Distance Is Quite Simply Much Too Far For Me To Row by softhan:
Hannibal is having a rough time recovering from his injuries post-fall, and retreats into himself to avoid confrontation with Will while he's still weak and ill. Having to play happy husbands hardly helps.
Silk and Lace by jonnimir:
Bedelia leaves Hannibal and Will a gift at the house on the cliff.
Not So Fast by scifibabe:
Hannibal wakes from a heated dream with a need that can’t be ignored—and Will, half-asleep but all too eager, is more than happy to help. What begins as a midnight indulgence quickly spirals into an overwhelming game of push and pull, as Will’s relentless appetite pushes Hannibal to the edge and beyond. Kinktober Day 10: Overstimulation + Face-Sitting
Hush Now by scifibabe:
What starts as Will stitching up Hannibal's latest hunting injury turns into something else entirely when a teasing "let Daddy take care of you" slips out. It's meant to be a joke--until Hannibal's reaction tells a different story. One playful push leads to another, and soon enough, they're both realizing they might be into this a little more than they expected. Kinktober Day 19: Fisting.
I truly cannot recommend Hush Now enough! It'll live rent free in my mind and heart for the rest of my life ♡
The Antidote To Grief by incidentsofunkownorigins
On Will's idea, they visit Mischa's grave. What Will had hoped to be a healing moment of closure breaks something in Hannibal and he is the only one who can put the pieces back together.
btw i haven't finished this one by incidentsofunkownorigins yet. but i know it's gonna make me wail and sniffle into my sleeve. the cry i fucking crowed in the 3rd paragraph 😭
Pulse Point:
Post-Fall, an injured Hannibal awakes from an erotic dream, desperate and needy, aching for Will's touch.
Marveling at a Spoon by scifibabe:
After a gourmet dinner, Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter decide to indulge in something a little more... pedestrian—a joint. As the smoke settles and their usual control begins to loosen, Hannibal finds himself experiencing a sensation he never expected: a heightened sensitivity that unravels him under Will’s teasing touch. What starts as a curious experiment in relaxation quickly turns into a surprising discovery, one that leaves even the meticulous Hannibal completely undone. Will is all too eager to take advantage of his newfound knowledge, and Hannibal, for once, is too overwhelmed to resist.
We Are Now Among The Ruins by ADeedWithoutAName:
Hannibal survived the fall, but not unchanged. He intends to give Will the only gift he now can, and Will intends to honor him in the only way that matters.
A Pinch Of Salt In The Wound
Renderered mute and bedbound post-fall, Hannibal begins to spiral.
Crystalline:
Hannibal becomes blind post-episode 3x13.
Let me take a moment to gush about both (Explicit 18+) fics because they're incredible.
This first new rec is titled "Not So Fast."
@graciereadshannigram who is the kindest soul ever (aka scifibabe on AO3) was generous enough to write one of my prompts (where omega Hannibal gets gobbled up by alpha Will and cries from overstimulation 🤭) and omfg I loved it so much!
This second new rec is titled "Hush Now."
It altered my brain chemistry and is officially my fave fic of all time. If you're searching for a post-fall fic where Hannibal is both vulnerable and needy then you'll love this one. I can't even express how much I love this but I'll include one of my fave moments because I'll be raving about and re-reading this fic until the end of time.
Will’s fingers hovered just above Hannibal’s erection, maddeningly light, brushing like the faintest ghost of a touch. The barely-there sensation sent pulses through Hannibal’s body, as if his skin was straining for contact, his cock twitching beneath the confinement of fabric. “What’s this, hmm?" Will’s voice was mocking. He leaned in closer, the warmth of his breath spilling against the curve of Hannibal’s ear, sparking a tingling sensation that trickled down his spine. “Does Daddy need to take care of this for you too?”
when I read that for the first time I nearly spat matcha all over my bedroom because my gasp was so intense lmfao. Please send @graciereadshannigram (scifibabe on AO3) all the love for writing both of these amazing little gems ♡
Vulnerable Hannibal Fic Rec List
Updated 10/20/2024 with two new additions located at the bottom of the page!
The first five fics are mine, but the rest are some of my favorite fics I’ve ever read that feature vulnerable Hannibal in various seasons, AUs, and post-canon.
The Ache Against The Wind (Rewritten):
He’d sustained a substantial amount of brain damage throughout the last eleven days, Will had been told. Resulting in Post-Traumatic Amnesia. Content Warning: Hannibal is tortured in the BSHCI via beatings, laxatives, enemas, starvation and the “water curing” method after his toilet is removed. Will saves him.
Pareidolia:
Six weeks post-fall, Hannibal suffers from a seizure during dinner.
Je Te Laisserai Des Mots:
Six months have passed since Will pulled them over the cliff. Even in light of their progressing relationship, much of Hannibal still remains a mystery to Will. For reasons unknown, he’s begun to pull away. (A sequel to Shrike--my housewife Hannibal fic!)
Between The Hour Of Reprieve:
At the cliff house, Hannibal receives a much-needed-hug.
Shrike (To Your Sharp And Glorious Thorn):
Hannibal feels anxious about the prospect of Will abandoning him one day because he isn’t at all capable of being like Molly. His anxiety only heightens when Will gets a job. (features crying housewife Hannibal speaking Lithuanian).
A Cabin In The Woods by KoolJack1:
Hannibal is thirteen and runs away from the orphanage when he feels that a fate of the elements will be better than the fate of abuse. He finds a small cabin in the woods, thinking warmth will be all he finds. He also finds Will. But who changes who?
Recipricol Alchemy by Scifibabe:
In the silent echoes of his dreams, Will Graham treads a line blurred between control and chaos, each step drawing him inexorably towards claiming Hannibal as his own. It's a perilous dance on the edge of darkness, where the thrill of possession whispers of a transformation too profound to resist.
Hold Me, Don’t Let Me Go by sourweather:
It's a few months after the Fall when it finally hits him. Hannibal has barely been touched in 3 years. And Will won't let it go on for another moment.
Hosanna In The Highest by sainthannibal:
During the fall, Hannibal receives the brunt of the injuries, which leaves him unable to care for himself. Will discovers how much he enjoys taking care of him.
You Made Me Soup by itsybitsylemonsqueezy:
Hannibal comes down with pneumonia while incarcerated. Will decides to make him some soup. Absolutely no one thinks it's strange that Will comes to give his ex soup when he finds out he's sick. No one at all finds this suspicious. At. All.
The Boy Under The Monster’s Bed by Wr4tttttthh:
There were deep wounds that needed healing, new and old, physical and otherwise.
Delicate Ghost by hannigramcracker & TimmyJayBird:
She was different- not the ghost of his memories, but something about this bloodied child ripped right at Hannibal's chest, and left him drowning in a cold snow he thought he had left in his childhood, that he had locked away within his skull. Drowning, with only one hand to grasp at, one body to cling to. One man to work him through the trauma and remind him what life was.
You With Those Nails, Me With This Cross by TheBitterKitten:
Will goes too far.
The Distance Is Quite Simply Much Too Far For Me To Row by softhan:
Hannibal is having a rough time recovering from his injuries post-fall, and retreats into himself to avoid confrontation with Will while he's still weak and ill. Having to play happy husbands hardly helps.
Silk and Lace by jonnimir:
Bedelia leaves Hannibal and Will a gift at the house on the cliff.
Not So Fast by scifibabe:
Hannibal wakes from a heated dream with a need that can’t be ignored—and Will, half-asleep but all too eager, is more than happy to help. What begins as a midnight indulgence quickly spirals into an overwhelming game of push and pull, as Will’s relentless appetite pushes Hannibal to the edge and beyond. Kinktober Day 10: Overstimulation + Face-Sitting
Hush Now by scifibabe:
What starts as Will stitching up Hannibal's latest hunting injury turns into something else entirely when a teasing "let Daddy take care of you" slips out. It's meant to be a joke--until Hannibal's reaction tells a different story. One playful push leads to another, and soon enough, they're both realizing they might be into this a little more than they expected. Kinktober Day 19: Fisting.
I truly cannot recommend this one enough! It'll live rent free in my mind for the rest of my life ♡
i am so excited to see what you come up with for kinktober!! btw please don't feel pressured at all to write any of my prompts if it doesn't vibe with what you're truly wanting to write <3 (also i’m so sorry my last prompt turned out to be so damn long omg 😭 my brain vomited it up on a whim and i couldn't stop writing lmfao)
13. aftercare: post-fall bottom!Hannibal feeling overwhelmed after their first time. Will cleans him up (and hand feeds him food and water) and whispers words of praise and assurance.
10. facesitting/overstimulation: Will gobbling Hannibal up until his thighs are chafed from Will's beard and he's a trembling tearful overstimulated mess.
21. bath sex: post-fall top!Will and bottom!Hannibal. Hannibal dealing with a broken limb or soreness from his gunshot wound (or both at the same time). He feels insecure and undesirable in Will's eyes because he hasn't had many opportunities to exercise while in the BSHCI. He doesn't believe Will could want him as he is (injured and not as confident as he once was). He needs Will to make the first move. Due to his injuries, Will helps him undress and get into the bath -- and washes Hannibal's hair and bathes him, telling Hannibal to relax. Will ends up initiating the first move.
31. Free For All: i hope it's okay to include 2 scenarios for this prompt bc i couldn't make a decision lol
Scenario 1 (Post-Fall): touch-starved Hannibal feeling mortified and struggling with premature ejaculation the first time he and Will are intimate because he hasn't been touched in three years. He's nearly in tears; overwhelmed and desperate all at once for Will's touch. It can be as simple as a hand job or full blown sex (whatever floats your boat). Hannibal wants to make it last -- to not disappoint Will -- and is whimpering and writhing the whole time because he's so touch-starved and sensitive. He doesn't last long at all and Will comforts him.
Scenario 2 (3x13) Alpha Will and Omega Hannibal: Hannibal and Will are in the car, driving to the cliff house. Hannibal is in the driver's seat and soon becomes visibly restless because he needs to pee. Eventually, Will tells him to pull over so they can switch seats. After a while, Hannibal is whimpering and shifting in discomfort as the pressure in his straining bladder builds, crossing his legs and sweating, desperate to hold it until they get to the house which is far away. Will is enjoying it (and maybe even teases him because it's the first time he's witnessed Hannibal on the brink of losing composure). Hannibal is feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed because it's the first time he's been in WIll's presence (within touching distance) in three years and he doesn't want to piss himself in front of Will. His bladder is becoming so full that he needs to raise the seatbelt so it's not pressing on his bloated stomach. He whimpers Will's name, on the brink of tears.
Will sobers up as Hannibal's distress heightens and gently strokes his stomach, reassuring him it's okay to let go. Tears of shame spill down Hannibal's flushed cheeks when he can no longer hold it anymore. Will comforts him the entire time and pulls over to help Hannibal undress from the ruined jumpsuit. He hugs Hannibal for a long moment, whispering comforting words and pressing kisses into his hair because it's clear Hannibal needs it. Hannibal clings to Will because it's his first time being gently touched in so long -- being held. Will wraps his jacket around Hannibal's waist so he'll be more comfortable on the rest of the drive. They get to the house and Will leads to Hannibal to the bathroom to clean him up. Cue their first kiss and comforting shower sex.
hiiiii, so as y'all may know, i'm doing @absurdthirst's Kinktober prompts, and i am taking requests for any of the days i haven't started yet!
the bolded, single option days are already either started or fully completed, but everything else is fair game. prompts that are italicized are ones that i have a slight preference for, but i'm not super committed to anything.
please, please, please help a girl out and hit me with requests! anon asks are open if you're shy :))
Handjobs
Voyeurism
Public Sex
Sensory Deprivation // Leather or Latex // Watersports
Rough Sex // Anal Beads // Bondage
A/B/O Heats or Ruts // Sadism-Masochism // Anonymous Sex
Bruising or Bitemarks // Virgin // Ice Play
Flogging // Swallowing // Cock Warming
Praise Kink
Face Sitting // Lingerie // Overstimulation
Knife Play
Sex Toys // Dirty Talk // Breath Play
Pregnancy // Aftercare // Roleplay
Gangbang // Collaring // Candle - Wax Play
Hair Pulling // Glory Hole // Teasing
Nipple Play // Cock Worship // Lactation
Squirting // Dom - Sub // Period Sex
Massaging
Suspension // Fisting // Mirror Sex
Cuckolding
Gun Play // Monsterfucking // Shower - Bath Sex
Thigh Fucking
Breeding
Somnophilia
Pussy Slapping // Non Con - Dub Con // Titty Fucking
Pegging // Edgeplay // Seduction
Hate Fucking - Angry Sex
Fucking Machine // Phone Sex // Impact Play
Branding // Hunter - Prey // Uniforms
Sex Pollen
Free For All
Vulnerable Hannibal Fic Rec List
Updated 4/14/2025 with one new addition located at the bottom of the page! A few of these fics are mine, but the rest are some of my favorite fics I've ever read that feature vulnerable Hannibal in various seasons, AUs, and post-canon.
shrike (to your sharp and glorious thorn):
Will begins to notice a change in Hannibal's behavior post-fall. He's become something akin to a fretting housewife.
The Ache Against The Wind (Rewritten):
3x13 AU: Will travels into an alternate dimension after plunging into the Atlantic and is confronted with the unexpected aftermath following the removal of Hannibal's toilet in the BSHCI.
Pareidolia:
Six weeks post-fall, Hannibal suffers from a seizure during dinner.
Je Te Laisserai Des Mots:
Six months have passed since Will pulled them over the cliff. Even in light of their progressing relationship, much of Hannibal still remains a mystery to Will. For reasons unknown, he’s begun to pull away. (A sequel to Shrike--my housewife Hannibal fic!)
Between The Hour Of Reprieve:
At the cliff house, Hannibal receives a much-needed-hug.
A Cabin In The Woods by KoolJack1:
Hannibal is thirteen and runs away from the orphanage when he feels that a fate of the elements will be better than the fate of abuse. He finds a small cabin in the woods, thinking warmth will be all he finds. He also finds Will. But who changes who?
this is absolutely amazing. i've never read an AU quite like this. a true masterpiece.
Recipricol Alchemy by Scifibabe:
In the silent echoes of his dreams, Will Graham treads a line blurred between control and chaos, each step drawing him inexorably towards claiming Hannibal as his own. It's a perilous dance on the edge of darkness, where the thrill of possession whispers of a transformation too profound to resist.
one of my faves. i can't even describe how perfect this explores their season 2 dynamic. such a unique trajectory and i am living for it.
Hold Me, Don’t Let Me Go by sourweather:
It's a few months after the Fall when it finally hits him. Hannibal has barely been touched in 3 years. And Will won't let it go on for another moment.
so precious omg. love it
Hosanna In The Highest by sainthannibal:
During the fall, Hannibal receives the brunt of the injuries, which leaves him unable to care for himself. Will discovers how much he enjoys taking care of him.
the post-fall whump is immaculate 🤧 love it
You Made Me Soup by itsybitsylemonsqueezy:
Hannibal comes down with pneumonia while incarcerated. Will decides to make him some soup. Absolutely no one thinks it's strange that Will comes to give his ex soup when he finds out he's sick. No one at all finds this suspicious. At. All.
god, i love this one so much. sick hannibal being hand-fed in the BSHCI? wailing my heart out
The Boy Under The Monster’s Bed by Wr4tttttthh:
There were deep wounds that needed healing, new and old, physical and otherwise.
one of my faves. Will finding Hannibal hiding under the table? a gut punch 😭
Delicate Ghost by hannigramcracker & TimmyJayBird:
She was different- not the ghost of his memories, but something about this bloodied child ripped right at Hannibal's chest, and left him drowning in a cold snow he thought he had left in his childhood, that he had locked away within his skull. Drowning, with only one hand to grasp at, one body to cling to. One man to work him through the trauma and remind him what life was.
so amazing. a unique perspective of how Will would deal with Hannibal becoming distressed while on a case together. one of the first vulnerable hannibal fics i've ever read 🥺
You With Those Nails, Me With This Cross by TheBitterKitten:
Will goes too far.
wailing into my pillow omg this had the perfect amount of angst.
The Distance Is Quite Simply Much Too Far For Me To Row by softhan:
Hannibal is having a rough time recovering from his injuries post-fall, and retreats into himself to avoid confrontation with Will while he's still weak and ill. Having to play happy husbands hardly helps.
my all time fave Hannibal whump fic. the way he's scared Will is disgusted by his accident? eternally sobbing. forever recommending this to anyone who is searching through this rec list.
Silk and Lace by jonnimir:
Bedelia leaves Hannibal and Will a gift at the house on the cliff.
crying because this was so tender and sweet. touch-starved hannibal at the cliff house. chef's kiss.
Not So Fast by scifibabe:
Hannibal wakes from a heated dream with a need that can’t be ignored—and Will, half-asleep but all too eager, is more than happy to help. What begins as a midnight indulgence quickly spirals into an overwhelming game of push and pull, as Will’s relentless appetite pushes Hannibal to the edge and beyond. Kinktober Day 10: Overstimulation + Face-Sitting
desperate and needy hannibal. need i say more? loved it 🤭
Hush Now by scifibabe:
What starts as Will stitching up Hannibal's latest hunting injury turns into something else entirely when a teasing "let Daddy take care of you" slips out. It's meant to be a joke--until Hannibal's reaction tells a different story. One playful push leads to another, and soon enough, they're both realizing they might be into this a little more than they expected. Kinktober Day 19: Fisting.
I truly cannot recommend Hush Now enough! It'll live rent free in my mind and heart for the rest of my life ♡
The Antidote To Grief by incidentsofunkownorigins:
On Will's idea, they visit Mischa's grave. What Will had hoped to be a healing moment of closure breaks something in Hannibal and he is the only one who can put the pieces back together.
this is such a beautiful take on Hannibal and Will visiting Lithuania together and how that would impact Hannibal. ♡
Pulse Point:
Post-Fall, an injured Hannibal awakes from an erotic dream, desperate and needy, aching for Will's touch.
Marveling at a Spoon by scifibabe:
After a gourmet dinner, Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter decide to indulge in something a little more... pedestrian—a joint. As the smoke settles and their usual control begins to loosen, Hannibal finds himself experiencing a sensation he never expected: a heightened sensitivity that unravels him under Will’s teasing touch. What starts as a curious experiment in relaxation quickly turns into a surprising discovery, one that leaves even the meticulous Hannibal completely undone. Will is all too eager to take advantage of his newfound knowledge, and Hannibal, for once, is too overwhelmed to resist.
god, i loved this so much.
We Are Now Among The Ruins by ADeedWithoutAName:
Hannibal survived the fall, but not unchanged. He intends to give Will the only gift he now can, and Will intends to honor him in the only way that matters.
i rarely read MCD, but this one is so worth the pain. i am eternally sobbing from this 😭 i also cannot recommend this one enough!!
Something Sacred by scifibabe:
In the quiet aftermath of their survival, silence has taken hold. Hannibal hasn't spoken since the night they washed ashore, his voice swallowed by their shared trauma. Will, haunted by the absence of words and the weight of unspoken things, has learned to reach Hannibal through touch, through the quiet rituals of care. When the strain of Hannibal’s pain becomes too much to hide, Will draws a bath—an unspoken offer of comfort. But today is different. Today, beneath the surface of familiar rituals, something stirs. As the warmth of the water surrounds them, walls begin to crack, and a fragile trust, once guarded so fiercely, blooms into something more intimate and vulnerable than either of them anticipated. In the quiet steam of the bath, two men find solace in each other’s arms, where tenderness can no longer be ignored.
this was so beautiful and soft omg. forever wailing about Hannibal asking Will to join him in the bath. ♡
A Pinch Of Salt In The Wound:
Renderered mute and bedbound post-fall, Hannibal begins to spiral.
You Believe Me Like A God:
Hannibal becomes severely injured post-episode 3x13.
compimento by cervviidae:
Hannibal learns what it's like to be Will's husband.
one of the most beautiful fics i've ever read that explore post-fall hannibal being loved with genuine tenderness and affection by Will. one i'll forever recommend.
Solace In Being Heard by air_of_the_Waterfall:
Hannibal is having terrible nightmares, and Will comes up with a rather unexpected method of helping him get a full night’s sleep.
i love that this offers such a unique look into Hannibal's childhood trauma and how it would impact his sleep. can't recommend it enough!
Bright Burn by Shotgun_sinner:
Hannibal suffers life-threatening injuries post-fall. Will makes decisions to save Hannibal, while trying to recover the life with him that he's only just realized he wanted. How far will he go to keep what's his?
the whump is immaculate in this post-fall fic too 🤧
crave, then succumb:
Hannibal receives a second hug post-fall, while high as a kite on morphine, and ends up unraveling in Will's arms.
chimera of the chapel by bleakmidwinter:
When Will Graham wakes up from a coma three months after the fall, Jack reveals that Hannibal Lecter didn't survive. Outside the realm of Hannibal's influence, Will decides to discover the full truth behind the world's sudden and seeming falsehood. Everybody seems to hold their own opinion on Hannibal's fate, but Will knows better than anyone that trust and honesty are as elusive as death.
incredible. i can't even express how much i loved this. the tender moments and development of their relationship is so beautiful 😭♥️
Keep Me Warm by nbcravenstag:
Will arrives home after walking through a blizzard, fully expecting an angry husband, but instead finds a traumatized little boy, terrified of the cold and haunted by what he's already lost.
the hurt/comfort in this was amazing. love it so much.
Beauty Not Needed Here by kralbellen:
“I know you are in love with me.”
It's not a question but not fully a statement either. A certain amount of doubt colores Will's tone, giving the sentence a nervous lilt.
Hannibal's first instinct is to deny it, in some half-hearted, last effort at self-preservation. He almost smiles – there is no self-preservation left for him when it comes to Will.
Hannibal is asexual. this was so tender and sweet. eternally wailing into my pillow. as someone who's ace this was like a breath of fresh air.
O Holy Night by memequeen1127:
Hannibal gazes at him right back, smiling as if he knows exactly what Will’s thinking. And considering how they know each other inside and out, he very well might.
“Merry Christmas, Will,” he says softly.
Will smiles. “Merry Christmas, Hannibal.”
the sweetest oneshot i've ever read. Hannibal regresses during Christmas and Will is so patient and caring. wailing about this until the end of time 😭🩵
The Perception Of Reality Through Language by Angelic_Disaster:
Hannibal can recognize the factors of trauma in others but not in himself. That's why he denies that there is a reason why he doesn't speak Lithuanian.
sobbing at this for eternity. Will speaking to Hannibal in Lithuanian and then Hannibal breaks down in his arms?? i couldn't ask for anything more beautiful than that in a fic.
Living With A Ghost Of Summer by itsbeautiful:
Based on a requested prompt. Where Will is an idiot, ahem, I mean Will loves Hannibal and tries to surprise him by making a home cooked meal using dishes from Lithuania. Fails spectacularly to lie his way out of it and everything goes horribly wrong. And then they cuddle. The end.
one of my favorites. Will cooks Lithuanian food for Hannibal, who ends up becoming an emotional mess.
Know Me See Me by incidentsofunknownorigins:
On the way to the cliff house, Will makes a decision for himself. Once they get there, he acts on it. But he finds Hannibal is much more deeply broken by his stay at the BSHCI than either of them realized. This time Will must put the teacup back together.
the premise of this fic is something i've been searching for and craving to read for so, so long (eternity, basically) because there can never be enough cliff house fics that explore Hannibal being touch-starved and vulnerable and dealing with the effects of being isolated for three long years. ♡
between here and there by hannigramized:
Will's name is the last word Hannibal spoke in his presence. That was two months ago, directly after the fall, and Hannibal has not said a single word since. Now Will has to navigate through their lives together without Hannibal's voice to guide him.
love this so much! it's the most amazing mute!Hannibal fic i've ever read.
Take Me The Way I Am by Thinminted:
Will didn’t miss Molly, not really, but he occasionally missed who he was when he was with her.
A story about learning to trust your partner with all of yourself.
a very beautiful exploration of Hannibal and Will's developing relationship post-fall.
èclair by cerviidae:
Hannibal touches dough instead of skin. Hannibal is kissed by the feeling of flour on his lips, accidental and impersonal, instead of by the mouth of the man he loves. Three years in confinement had starved him, and now, though his body is healed, his soul remains ravenous. He cleans most of what he can of the whipped cream, scooping it back into another piping bag as he wills himself not to be irrational about this. This mess, this imperfection—it means nothing at all.
amazing post-fall fic about Hannibal's insecurity about being enough to satisfy Will in everyday life and also explores their developing physical relationship and how Hannibal's touch-starved state would have an impact on that. so beautiful. genuinely left me speechless.
Home Is Not A Place by shotgun_sinner:
Post-Fall, Hannibal recovers from his injuries. Will takes care of him, and their relationship evolves much more easily than Hannibal thought it would. The only issue is that Will is a constant presence, and he hasn't had alone time in three years. It ends up not being an issue at all.
one of the first post-fall fics i remember reading years ago that touched on Hannibal's touch-starved state and i've been hooked on that trope ever since lol. always a fave to re-read from time to time.
and the first time that you kissed me, i drank dry the River Lethe by cerviidae:
“Would you like me to come over?”
Silence stretches between them, taut and trembling. Then, the faintest sound—a throat clicking, a breath stalling. Hannibal can already see the war in Will's mind, the reasons she is telling herself not to accept. The burden she is convincing herself she must not be. Hannibal does not give her the chance to refuse.
“I would not mind.” A pause. A breath.
Then, finally, “Yes.”
*this is not a fic focusing on Hannibal's vulnerability, but it is one of my new favorites i've come across.* it's a genderswap AU of an exploration into their physical relationship. Hannibal and Will are both desperate to satisfy the other and it is so tender. this may be hands down the most beautiful smut fic i've ever read?!
earl grey and honey by cerviidae:
Will’s tenderness is a constant. And what a gift it is. Will conjures summer itself through sheer will, as though he could pull Hannibal out of winter’s grasp and set him down in a field of green and gold. Hannibal knows nothing of the ache of bones any longer. His days are filled with cooking and cleaning, the motions of care and love. He kneads dough with his mother’s frantic energy, channels her restless hands into feeding Will, keeping him full. And Will, in turn, keeps him warm. It is love.
any time i read anything by this author, i know i'm about to be wailing my heart out. this is incredible and so lovely.
Verisimilitude by becks:
Will Graham can't believe it when they tell him Hannibal Lecter's dead.
Good. He shouldn't.
(Or: An experimental lobotomy and its unanticipated aftermath.)
i remember reading this years ago and it was so incredible! i've never read a fic with this plot and it was executed perfectly. the end of the last chapter? an absolute masterpiece. i was on the edge of my seat. it's incomplete, but i hope one day the author returns to this fic because it's one of my favorite ever and such a unique exploration of Hannibal and Will's relationship.
Saint Valentine by cerviidae:
Vampire Hannibal Lecter learns what it’s like to love and be loved.
Y'ALL I HAVE NEVER BEEN MOVED TO TEARS BY MORE THAN ONE OTHER FIC. BUT THIS ONE??? I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF READING THIS RIGHT NOW AND I'M GENUINELY ABOUT TO WEEP, BLINKING BACK TEARS BECAUSE THIS IS SO STUNNING AND TENDER AND EVOCATIVE. might also be the fact that i'm listening to Hozier at the same time lol. I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS ENOUGH. VAMPIRE HANNIBAL BEING LOVED BY WILL SO THOROUGHLY THAT HE'S MOVED TO TEARS?? PERFECTION!! 😭🩷
i don't want to set the world on fire by cerviidae:
Will and Hannibal celebrate Valentine's Day stranded in a fire lookout tower
everyone, go read this asap because it is the most unique and beautiful and perfectly orchestrated exploration of their post-fall dynamic i've ever read. Hannibal's longing for Will in this is so palpable and the desperation he shows for Will when their relationship turns physical? ABSOLUTELY EXQUISITE AND HEARTWRENCHING!! i quite literally just finished reading this and damn was it stunning. still wiping tears from my eyes 😭
i have loved you in a tame way & i have loved you wild by cerviidae:
Will tells himself it don’t matter that he’s got company for this job, tells himself he don’t mind having the kid around, even if it does feel off. He knows he can’t afford to be picky—not in this kind of work, where jobs are hard enough to come by. And maybe if the boy’s just gonna keep ignoring him, they won’t have to cross paths all that much. He’s fine with that. Easier to keep his head down, get through the summer without any trouble. They won’t see each other.
Out of sight, out of mind.
-or-
A Hannibal fic inspired by Brokeback Mountain
Y'ALL, GO READ THIS RIGHT NOW because it contains mute Hannibal and it is one of the most beautiful AU explorations of their relationship i've ever read. chapter 9 in particular made me ugly cry. Will helping Hannibal try to learn to speak again was so unexpected (and i've never seen that happen in a fic before??) also, the progression of Will's struggle with his sexuality and eventually accepting himself and his feelings for Hannibal is so, so beautiful and raw and real. Will treats Hannibal so lovingly in this fic and whenever Hannibal's vulnerability is at the forefront, it never fails to make me weep.
wring me of all the blood i shall bleed:
Post-Fall, Will is growing more and more distant by the day. Hannibal, on the other hand, is unwilling to speak—be it a result of brain damage or a self-imposed state of mutism. Life on the run is as peaceful as it can be. Until Will enters a new relationship in an effort to stem the curious glances and endless questions from the locals.
Lithuanian Words:
Will is trying to find Hannibal to consult with him on a case. He finds Hannibal drunk into an emotional stupor in his study, speaking in a language Will doesn't understand. Filled for a prompt on the Hannibal kinkmeme. Hurt/comfort.
omg this was the very first vulnerable Hannibal fic i read years ago and i can't believe i found it again?!! god i love this so much because Hannibal regresses to speaking Lithuanian when Will stops by (and it's so rare to see in season 1/season 2 fics).
Chiaroscuro by anhthr:
Will carefully adjusted the sling over Hannibal's shoulder, fingers lingering on his skin, sensing when that perfunctory touch transformed into something more profound. The source of this change was nearly impossible to discern. Feeling the genesis of something while being blind to its root was as relieving as it was destabilizing– much like faith.
Hannibal’s gaze fell to the gentle pressure of Will’s fingers as they glided down his arm, casting a wistful look.
"Will your care stem from the same thread as your forgiveness?” Hannibal murmured, his voice cracking from disuse.
omg this post-fall fic is so incredible and beautifully written.
it takes two to burn (it takes one match) by chaplinesque:
Achilles wanted all Greeks to die, for him and Patroclus. His Will wanted to take Patroclus and himself from the Greeks.
or
Hannibal and Will post-fall, where imprisonment affected Hannibal more than either of them thought.
omg the angst and whump in this is perfect, y'all
Guide Me Through Morass, My Love:
Post-Fall. Hannibal wakes up in the Republic of Ireland with amnesia, and is mentally 18 years-old. He finds himself stowed away in a cottage bordered by farmland with a man who knows him intimately—a man by the name of Will. Falling in love and losing one's virginity beneath the scorching sun is not at all intentional, but it feels akin to being revived and bared and bound into new skin—a rebirth.
when i write or read that "luffy eats your pussy like a banquet" that's exactly the vibe i'm talking about.
Oh my fucking god not again.
!!!DEAR MINORS IN THE DBZ FANDOM!!!
Do NOT interact with me. You guys are creepy and need to fuck off.
I'm not your friend, and never will. Go away.
Jesus christ, I wish there was a way to delete posts and it would be deleted site wide. All reblogs, quote blogs, etc.
Got this fucking child making new accounts just to message me and it's pissing me off.
I'm in my fucking 30s, go away child.
Still perturbed about the recent mini events that have been going on.
When I say mini I mean its not that big of a deal in the longrun but it's still fucking creepy and unsettling that I'm voluntarily stepping back from this blog.
So ya, I'm going to be hiding on my other blogs and not this one for a while cause YUCKY! I don't want to deal with other peoples' children especially if they're straight up harassing, being aggressively gross, and being overly sexual towards adults who have told them to fucking stop.
Anyway,
Tootles for now.
Just yikes...
