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My favorite details in Castle Lecter's set design

1. The Lecter family crest pays homage to the Hannibal book cover.

It references Milan's biscione, a snake devouring a man, which appears on the coat of arms of the Visconti and Sforza families (from which Hannibal is descended on his mother's side).

SIDE NOTE: One of Hannibal's favorite pastimes as the curator of the Palazzo Vecchio was reading about his ancestors:

Funnily enough, the Visconti-Sforza commissioned their own tarot decks in the 15th century, so Hannibal might've been studying those in the Palazzo library around the time he designed his Vitruvian Man tableau. Here's the original Visconti di Modrone Three of Swords vs an artist's reproduction:

2. Pheasant & Raven imagery

The Chiyoh/Abigail parallels are strong, but Chiyoh's symbolic prey animal is a pheasant instead of a deer! She uses pheasant quills as decoration for her dinner with Will, and there are some taxidermied pheasants in the hunting lodge we didn't get to see:

But my favorite detail is how she uses a pheasant bone to kill the Caged Man! Even a prey animal has sharp edges.

Meanwhile, ravens represent Hannibal's imposing presence haunting the estate. We see them on the Lecter family crest and taxidermied by the fireplace.

Doubled birds of prey motif... a nod to how Will is joining Hannibal as a predator?

All the hawk paintings could also just be referencing this single line in Hannibal Rising:

SIDE NOTE: Over in Florence, Hannibal is keeping in the bird theme with a feathered arm ham wing and a nest of green bean asps for his dinner with Sogliatto:

3. A Shrine for Mischa?

There's a deleted scene in the script where Will spots a Shinto shrine while snooping:

A small version of this shrine appears above the fireplace. It includes a pair of birds of paradise, the same flower Chiyoh leaves on Mischa's grave:

If you've read the books, Mischa's presence is also palpable in the deer heads watching over their dinner (not that we got to see them lol):

4. The way the painting above the fireplace is cut off makes it look like an oni glaring at them! Creepy!

Or maybe it's meant to look like Enma, the Buddhist King of Hell, who is depicted in the painting on the ceiling in the original production design (The Fever of Tairo no Kiyomori by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, 1883):

It's actually this Rorschach of a landscape based on Old Plum by Kano Sansetsu (1646):

5. Japanese family crests (mon) on the curtains

The Secondo scene uses the weeping wisteria family crest (sagari fuji mon):

The name Murasaki means wisteria, so I assume this crest represents her. It's doubly fitting, since in real life, this is the Fujiwara crest, and Lady Murasaki's namesake (Murasaki Shikibu, author of the Tale of Genji) was a Fujiwara.

The original production design uses a princess tree family crest (kiri mon). Not sure if there was any symbolism to that choice, but they didn't go with it in the end.

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80s Manhunter-inspired Will… do we think he thrifted that top or earned it fair and square? 🤔much to consider…

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I really want to read a fic where Hannibal is the character Death. 

He first encounters Will during a near-death experience that he narrowly escapes, but remains his silent companion thereafter - quietly drifting beside him, ever-present, fiercely protective of his human; the first to ever truly take his interest. 

I think it would be such a fascinating story to write, particularly how Hannibal (Death) would take lives; sometimes violently—ripping souls away from bodies he deems undeserving of them—and other times arriving as a whisper, gentle and patient, even loving. 

Will, especially, would be interesting in this dynamic; scared at first, initially spiralling before eventually finding comfort in his dark companion, loving Him, and ultimately offering himself to Death, not to meet his end but to remain at Hannibal’s side forever more. 

In a world where mortals clutch onto their souls like currency, often attempting to bargain and bribe, Hannibal (Death) would only find Will all the more fascinating for it—a soul given freely, to be owned and held and cared for, forever. 

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You see people speculating what Mischa would've become if she'd survived all the time, but rarely do I see people go in the direction that I think-

Antifascist forester with a knack for making people disappear and a love for thick knit sweaters.

In the original, Hannibal never went back to Lithuania because Mischa died there, but Mischa? I think she would've loved her home. And that castle surrounded by endless dense forests, deep and dark, needs someone to take care of it.

And she gets possessive, too. She won't tolerate intruders- trophy hunters, people looking the plunder the castle assuming it's abandoned, capitalists wanting to cut down the trees and build one thing or another.

Her older brother visits frequently, talking about his studies in Italy, then the hospital, then psychiatry. They hint and joke to eachother about their more unconventional means, but they share that aspect- though Hannibal had feared he would always have to hide it from Mischa until one day where she mentioned she had adopted an injured deer and the drunk hunter responsible had been taken care of.

Hannibal also brings his constantly straining but without a doubt loyal situationship, and is so gleeful when they get along well.

He regrets his enthusiasm when it turns out they're a feral team and he won't get a moment of peace.

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I love when fics get Will's exact mix of empathy, violence, and cruelty perfectly right. Stop uwuifying my boy he loves beating people to death with his own hands that's one of his best traits.

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SCREAMING I love this so much!!!!

Imagine omega Hannibal sleepily crawling into Will's bed, and Will wakes up to a nest that's been built around him and Hannibal is just dozing, curled up against his side, warm and purring and snuggly.

Thinking about omega Hannibal's body adjusting to being off suppressants post-fall (because they'd forced him on heat suppressants in the BSHCI). He doesn't deal with heats anymore because he's older. But nesting is still comforting; something they'd never let him do in the BSHCI. He feels shy nesting around Will. They have their own separate rooms, but they miss that closeness after being on the boat together; when they'd learn what it was like sharing a bed together; comforting one another when their wounds were still tender and not yet healed.

Will's learned Hannibal is a drifter and seems to curl inward towards any sign of body heat. He would do that often on the boat: fall asleep on one side of the bed yet end up shifting and pressing a fever-warm forehead against Will's shoulder while asleep. He'd been shy about that, too, waking up and tensing; becoming rigid because invading an unbonded alpha's space is frowned upon; sometimes even dangerous; but Will always reassured him in those moments; when Hannibal's lashes were struggling to rise because of fatigue; when he was sleepy yet instincts were still kicking in, telling him to move.

During those mornings, Will would hold him close; never pushing him away; whispering "you can stay, darlin', right here. i won't bite." He remembers bringing up the topic of nesting—with Hannibal laying on his chest. He ran fingers through Hannibal's soft and greasy bedhair. There was only a blanket and a few pillows on the boat, but Will said: "You'll have one once we get settled. A proper nest with anything you want."

The first time Hannibal makes a nest at their new safehouse, Will doesn't intrude; doesn't knock; doesn't peek inside Hannibal's bedroom. He doesn't need to. He can hear Hannibal's purring from behind the closed door; something soft and pleased. He's never heard Hannibal make such a noise. He stands outside the door for a moment; simply listening to Hannibal shuffle and get comfortable in bed under a mountain of pillows and blankets and a flannel (one Will had slept in last night).

Ten minutes pass and Hannibal's purring tapers off into soft snoring. He knows this is a safe space to nest and indulge in the side of himself that wasn't given permission in the BSHCI. He still feels shy displaying those little omegan behaviors in front of Will. Like purring. Like nesting. Like kneading the flannel inside his nest.

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I LOVE when people tell me how much they like my works, because it shows me that even if I think something is shitty and some of my worst work, someone out there likes it. Someone out there loves my writing and wants me to do more. It keeps me going.

People used to comment on web comics.

People used to comment on fanfiction.

People used to comment on fanart.

People used to comment on OCs.

I hate "content" culture.

I hate "consuming content" and scrolling immediately to the next thing.

People used to be excited about the art that other people created.

People used to want to share that excitement with creators.

I hate this future.

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its impregnate that man monday ladies and gentlemen.

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Hannigram Long Fanfic Review List!

I know there are only 2 fics on here right now, but if you've sent any long fics to my ask box, I promise I'm working on them! I have three different notes full of fics from specific blogs if you sent me more than one at a time!

These took forever to get around to, but I finally did it! Anyway, on with the post, please enjoy!

Reviews under the cut! :)

Like A Lucid Dream

Author: DruidGurl

Word count: 75,975

Summary: In the days following Will's fateful fall from the bluff, Molly Graham begins to understand the extent of her ignorance regarding Hannibal and Will's relationship. The discovery of her husband's deceit leads her to seek refuge and escape in their cottage in the mountains. There's only one problem: she's not the only one who is looking for a place to hide. - After the fall, Will and Hannibal rest, recover, and fall in love all over again... under the watchful eye of Will's wife. -

This was an absolute whirlwind to read. It's incredibly good, and I finished it in one day! Lots of emotions, complications, and changing dynamics. It leaves off on Molly getting her happy ending, which I appreciated. Molly gets too much hate sometimes, justice for my girl fr. I've been considering writing a fic featuring Molly, and this fic may have just convinced me to do so!

The Fault In My Code

Author: LiaS0

Word count: 90,434

Summary: Soulmate AU: Soulmates find their other half when they look into their eyes. After the next time they sleep, they wake with one eye the color of their intended. Will Graham avoids eyes. He's never wanted a soulmate, never wanted to be told by the universe who he was supposed to feel a connection to. He already struggles enough with connections, thank you very much. As a psychiatrist, he works with soulmates who have lost their other half through various means, part of a social system that regards the journey to your soulmate as the most important thing a person can do. Coerced by Jack Crawford to consult on a case where the assailant is targeting soulmates, Will finds himself turning to the notorious Dr. Lecter to gain insight on how he's choosing the soulmates to target. Things go horribly awry when he looks into Hannibal's eyes, though. The next morning, he wakes up with one eye blue, the other maroon. He's never wanted a soulmate, least of all one behind bars for murdering dozens of people and eating them. Hannibal thinks it's delightful -it's been dreadfully boring since he was locked up. Romance, thriller, mayhem, mystery, soulmate au with a realistic twist, and a grumpy Will Graham

Okay so I have a lot to say about this one, because it was very long and very detailed! I love details.

I love the allusions to Silence of the Lambs and Red Dragon throughout this fic. I noticed it right away in chapter one, and I adored it instantly.

Looooove that Hannibal has maroon eyes like the books! This is one of my favorite things in fics, and I loved that it was included in this one. And the chapter names all having to do with the characters' eyes is brilliant in the context of this soulmate AU! Chapter 2 and 20 having the same title? Incredible.

I liked that many of the characters we know (and some from the books) make an appearance, and some of them even have different appearances from the show, i.e., their book appearances (namely Dolarhyde). This is the first Hannigram fic I've read that mentioned Barney (the orderly from SotL who helped Clarice Starling), and I found it very cool! I've always liked how Barney and Hannibal had a quiet respect for each other, and I wish they had interacted more in this fic.

I also found it interesting that Hobbs gave will the scar across his stomach, which to me has always been a symbol of Hannibal's claim over Will, something he left to mark him and remind him both of what he'd done to earn it and who it belonged to—who he belonged to. I just wanted to note that, because I'm me and I'm obsessive about Will Graham's scars.

I have very few complaints, the main one that comes to mind being that even in the end, Will doesn't accept the cannibalism (example: there's a comment about him being grateful that his meal is cow and not "pig"). We see Will (in the show) being momentarily shocked by it and somewhat repulsed, but then he goes right back to eating dinners with Hannibal and even providing human meat for him. At this point in the show, they've known each other for an estimated 10 ish months. In this fic, he also never fully accepts his Becoming and is still repulsed by his darkness and doesn't embrace who he is, even in light of who his soulmate is, and of having taken lives. This is obviously me being nitpicky, but I love to see a Will Graham who's sure of himself and who he is with Hannibal, and doesn't shy away from his cruelty and darkness. No hate to the author obviously, it's just my preference.

This was an incredibly well written fic, and I did very much enjoy it. I was less satisfied with the character development than I hoped to be, so I likely won't read it again, but I definitely will be recommending it to others! If you're looking for a Soulmate AU and you like the I Feel Your Pain/Your Emotions + the Hurting You Hurts Me Trope, this one is for you!

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Hannigram Omegaverse Fic Recs!

These are my favorite Hannigram A/B/O fics I've read so far, which admittedly is not a lot. I'm hoping to read more and update this list, so please send me recommendations!

Reviews under the cut. :)

Distraction

Author: YouAreMyDesign

Word count: 3,979

Summary: Hannibal smiles, purring softly, and leans down to nuzzle Will's forehead. "You needn't be so distressed, darling," he murmurs. There is blood on Will's neck, and his cut palm smears more fresh up his mate's bare forearm. His sleeves are rolled up to the elbows, so he can give Will all of his scent. Hannibal licks the smear of his own slick on Will's cheek, his purr for a moment growing louder. "When have I ever denied you?"

Dark Will Graham my beloved. 😍 Featuring snooty omega Hannibal and a demanding alpha Will in rut. I'm usually particular about omegaverse, but I do like this one! It's fairly good, and I'd read it again if I was specifically seeking A/B/O fics.

Genesis

Author: YouAreMyDesign

Word count: 3,461

Summary: The fish of Hannibal's trust is a spritely and skittish thing, but Will is patient. He can follow the bubbles in the water and the shining slip of scales within the currents. He can fashion beautiful lures, both mental and physical, to please and soften his mate.

Another fic by YouAreMyDesign starring omega Hannibal! Featuring more dark, dominant Will, mind games, lying, and of course, dubcon/noncon. It starts out sweet and wholesome, but quickly becomes smutty and not so wholesome.

put your aching teeth to good use, my dear

Author: wormsin

Word count: 10,516

Summary: alternate a/b/o ending to Fromage. when Will sees Hannibal in his office, bloody but alive, he goes into a feral rut. Hannibal tries to pacify him.

This was my first A/B/O Hannigram fic! It's so nice to re-read some of my firsts. I love this fic so much, and it really changed my perspective on omegaverse!

It Takes Two To Nest

Author: TheSilverQueen

Word count: 13,959

Summary: When Hannibal hears a commotion down the hall at the hospital, naturally he goes to investigate. When he finds out that the omega patient, a Mr. Will Graham, is struggling so hard that the doctors are having difficulties handling him, naturally he is intrigued. And when he finds out that the on-call OBGYN has been delayed, naturally he steps in to deliver Will's baby himself. Dr. Hannibal Lecter can do anything, after all. Including deliver someone else's baby while minutes away from going into labor himself.

Another incredible fic, with a different twist from the usual A/B/O dynamic! I quite enjoy fics with omega x omega pairings, and this one really takes the cake. The labor scene is non-descriptive, so that's a plus for anyone who gets squigged out by that. It's much more plot-driven than other omegaverse fics I've read, so I definitely enjoyed that part of it. Lots of snuggly warmth! I would recommend this to anyone just starting out with omegaverse, as it's not as intense about the alpha/omega dynamic and is moreso about the characters.

On The Grounds Where We Feel Safe

Author: HigherMagic

Word count: 36,059

Summary: "Single Omega household seeking a primary caretaker for high-school aged female. Must own vehicle for chauffeuring, errands, and other duties as necessary. Room and board provided, and a stipend for necessities available for negotiation. Must have open availability and be willing to submit to a background check and drug test. Immediate start." Then a name, and a phone number. Doctor Hannibal Lecter.

Oh my god. 😭 This is incredible. Simply fantastic. I was confused at first by the jumps between the past and present, but I caught up pretty quickly and I absolutely adore this fic! We love a Dom Omega, and we especially love being introduced to new types of A/B/O dynamics. Also, ABIGAIL!!!!!!! I love Abigail. And I love love love her calling Hannibal mama. 🥹

So so good!

stink in the nostrils

Author: murdertrout

Word count: 49,137

Summary: Secret Omega Hannibal is not pleased that he has imprinted on Will Graham. He avenges himself on his biology by getting Will Graham put behind bars. But when Will figures out what he’s been hiding and tampers with his suppressants, triggering his first heat, they both get more than they bargained for. Alternate S2b if it were entirely A/B/O porn.

I spent literal hours searching for this fic to include it in this list because I couldn't remember the name and I loved it so much. This is my favorite omegaverse fic. It's so terribly good. It rewrites the events of season 2b as if it were in the omegaverse, and I absolutely love the detail of Matthew being sent to fuck with Hannibal's suppressants instead of killing him! Lots of angst, confusion, hurt, bonding, and of course, mating. Hannibal is a slut and we love him for it. Bonus: it has a happy ending!

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Oh man.

I'm literally getting ready for work rn and the brain worms have decided to be active.

"Rewrite the smut scenes in your otherwise very good fic," they hiss.

"The smut is really bad," they shriek.

SHUT UP, I KNOW, I shout back, as if it will quell their fury.

It will not.

The worms will win again.

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Jean Paul Gaultier: Blood Drip Faux Fur Coat Autumn/Winter 1998

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huge ginormous fucking pet peeve of mine in hannigram fics is hannibal not liking will's dogs. FUCK OFF. i dare you to say to my face that hannibal could not bring himself to love anything and everything that will feels love or fondness for. anything that is touched by him or breathed by his voice. will is an extension of him and they are one in the same. his whole control obsession and ritualistic behaviors would not apply to will because his love for him both stems from and is exacerbated by his inability to control himself around him. he cannot keep up his routines and patterns with will, because his desire to be seen and understood overpowers his reason. he wouldn't care about being covered in dog hair or caked in mud or bleeding out if it was in will's namesake. will is his own personal god. he loves those fucking dogs so much, not because it comes natural to him, but because they are part of will, and therefore loved inherently

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i love how we all agree post fall hannigram have separation anxiety of some sort

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god i know it’s all been said before, but post fall!hannigram are INSUFFERABLE ! after however long it may take for them to find their footing together, i know they’re touching each other in some way shape or form at almost all times. so much to the point to where it’s just instinct. i like the idea of a groggy will clinging to hannibal’s back as hannibal moves about the kitchen to prepare breakfast. they’re barely exchanging any words, it’s just peaceful, safe. will’s a menace though, and he’s touch starved, so you can’t blame him if he reaches around hannibal to turn the stove off, and pull him to their bedroom. or will reading on the sofa, hannibal tucked between his legs with his head on will’s scarred belly, laying there as will plays with his hair. tbh, i think they could lie together completely naked, hands exploring and memorizing, and yeah, sometimes it can start to get heated, but they’re perfectly content to share long, lingering kisses, looks, and touches, holding one another, maybe rocking a bit, muttering words of love, metaphor, some laughter, etc. BIG fan of a very loving will post fall! where he’s very bold in his actions once he gets through the whole “ok well i ain’t exactly gay, but i ain’t exactly NOT gay 👀” thing; grabbing hannibal before he can walk out the door to go into town for one thing or another, and planting a big fat kiss right on his lips. it’s always a thrill to hannibal, and to will, seeing hannibal light up. something that gets me every time (especially in fanfics) is the headcanon of will openly telling hannibal how beautiful he is. “the poets would envy you, y’know. madness, man, and beauty wrapped all in one.” as if hannibal needed another reason to worship the very ground will walked on. it’s funny how he could -and has- said the very same about will. i’ve shared a headcanon here before that i’d love to write someday; it’s will that proposes. blunt and sudden, eyes sparkling, a mild smile on wine stained lips as they sit beside one another in the living room one night after dinner. they’re touching, of course, but it’s just barely; index fingers hooked loosely together in the space between them as they peacefully sip from their glasses in their respectful chairs, listening to the crackling embers of the fireplace, and distant classical notes from a record player hannibal purchased when they got settled into their home. i think hannibal is literally stunned. not that he hasn’t thought about it before. i know it’s cliche, but it’s the fact that he can’t believe his fantasies no longer reside in his mind palace, but are now fleshed out in the tangible world, and matched in equal measurements of devotion. will would probably chuckle, seeing hannibal’s eyes get glossy, setting his glass aside, and rising from his chair. “hannibal lecter rendered speechless. i’m flattered to be able to do the job.” and will places himself right in hannibal’s lap, holds him close, kisses his face, his hair, his lips. “i’m offended by your silence, doctor. i did just propose to you, after all.” and hannibal just !!!!!! warm smiles up at will, FOR will. “i would choose you in every lifetime. there is no need to ask, nor doubt, will. you know that.” and now it’s will’s turn to smile and get teary eyed, gaze locked with hannibal’s. little nod, fingers carding through ever greying hair. “yeah. yeah, i know.”

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y'all caught me on a bad pain day, so i'm just gonna say it: don't be this person in my comments.

idk, man, use your imagination??? if it's not explicitly written in the text, you get to fill in the blanks????

and also, the epilogue of The Gift Wars takes place 6-7ish years after the final chapter, so maybe those dogs aren't around anymore because they died happy in their old age!

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This is a screen recording of my fic ideas note in my notes app. In case any of you were wondering why it takes me so long to finish anything. Lmao

@serina-serina-serina