Chapter Text
There was a curious smell in the store the moment he walked inside.
His nose immediately latched onto it as he walked towards the suits, looking at lotions and lifting colognes to his nose only to be wrong each and every time he tried a new one.
Then he saw the young man at the edge of the counter, holding a bottle of cologne looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.
Hannibal got closer and the smell got more pronounced, a mix of body aroma and the cologne he was sure the young man was hawking to the masses.
He stepped closer, hearing a snippet of conversation between the young man and another man standing in front of him.
“So it’s made from a mix of…” the man was asking, his hand ready to touch the young man’s who seemed kind of intimidated.
Hannibal asked, “Would it be possible for me to get a sample,” he looked at the man’s nametag, “Will?”
Will seemed rather relieved, smiling as he turned away from the other man to spritz a paper for Hannibal to take, “It’s called Contact,” he said, “One small bottle is sixty three dollars and a large is eighty. They also sell them in sets for one oh five but…”
Hannibal brought the scent to his nose, breathing it in. It was a curious mix of clean and ocean scents, and he could smell Will’s own scent around it making it difficult for him to leave.
“Curious.”
Will smiled, “You like it?”
Hannibal raise out his wrist, “I believe I would like to be sprayed.”
Will sprayed his wrist and Hannibal brought it to his nose, though he could already smell quite easily from here. He savored the scent, turning it out to Will, “What do you think?”
The other man blushed, “I’m not sure…”
“Please, I would like to know your opinion if the scent compliments my own.”
Will pressed against Hannibal’s wrist as he inhaled, his eyes closing. “It’s,” he looked up at Hannibal, “I think it’s the best thing I’ve smelled all day.”
Hannibal smirked, “I think I would like to smell it on you.”
Will laughed, “It’s expensive, it’s not like I’d ever buy it.”
Another man came over to Will and he held out the bottle, “Would you like to try Contact sir?”
The man smirked and said, “With you, darling, I’d try anything.”
Will seemed put out and Hannibal didn’t move, watching the other man take the scented paper and begin flirting with Will as he had moments before.
Will’s mannerisms had changed and it was obvious that he was not as comfortable with this stranger’s attentions as he was Hannibal’s.
He put his hand on Will’s wrist, “I believe I would like to buy two bottles.”
Will turned, his eyes wide, “The small one?”
Hannibal shook his head, “I always believe in thinking larger, as is my nature.”
Will laughed, turning to head for the scent counter where he would be getting commission for Hannibal’s buy which put the other man out of his sights. Hannibal smirked at the other stranger who just looked angry, stalking off.
When he headed for the counter Hannibal saw Will was talking excitedly with another woman with dark hair who looked him over appreciatively before pushing Will off towards the counter where he stood opposite.
He smiled, holding out two bottles and a tote bag which Hannibal had no use of whatsoever. “That’ll come to, one seventy six sixteen.”
Hannibal pulled out his wallet, smirking as he pulled out two hundred dollar bills and left them on the counter.
Will’s eyes widened as he took them, swallowing and there was an imperceptible change in his demeanor. “Thanks, for being so nice today. I’ve had a lot of as—jerks, you were,” he looked at Hannibal licking his lips, “Nice.”
Hannibal took the change and his bag, taking one of the cologne’s out and putting it on the table. “For you.”
Will’s eyes widened, “No, I…” he started to push it back but Hannibal put his hand over Will’s own.
“I insist.”
Will nodded, “Okay. I…thank you.”
“Hannibal.”
He took Will’s hand and brought it to his lips, “My name is Hannibal.”
Will let out a breath, “I…can I help you with anything else?”
He let Will’s hand go, “I will let you know. Thank you for a pleasant encounter.”
Hannibal took his bag, turning to go and heard excited speech over his shoulder when suddenly Will’s scent came close and he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“Hannibal, wait!”
He turned, “Yes?”
Will took his hand, turning it over and putting another one of the scent cards in it. He frowned then Will said, “My number, um…if you want.”
Hannibal turned it over and saw hastily scrawled numbers along with Will’s name. He smiled, “I do. Thank you.”
When he turned around again he headed towards the suits, there would be more need than he thought for one and maybe if he was lucky after he got fitted he could visit by the scent counter once more.
Just to say goodnight.