Hannibal's fingers cease their travel along the musculature of Will's thigh as Hannibal meets Will's gaze, his head tilted and eyebrows slightly raised. What Will is offering, he believes, is more than a mere body part to satisfy Hannibal's hunger. And it's also not mere appeasement, that Will is offering up some non-vital body part if only Hannibal has mercy on him. Will understands how much Hannibal wishes to be with him, even when eating him. If there were some magical way that Hannibal could keep Will alive even as he consumed every bit of him, he would. Will's suggestion is a compromise, then...Will offers his flesh, that they may prepare and share together, without Hannibal needing to lose Will at all.

If he accepts, though, he would be agreeing to not kill Will, not only now, but perhaps ever. And that is the most profound implication of Will's offer. While there are people that Hannibal chooses not to kill, there has never been anyone for whom killing was completely off the table. Even with his deeply protective feelings for Abigail, he was still willing to kill her. Could Hannibal grant Will that protected status? Could they become so deeply entwined that he could not kill him lest it also kill himself?

"Yes," he says, his voice quiet and his eyes dark and deep. "I would."

It's the most profound agreement he's ever made. He wonders if Will realizes it.