Hypocorism (слэш)

The first time Hannibal uses a pet name, Will falls silent. He can't even muster a sarcastic comment, too embarrassed, feeling the warmth in his cheeks.
They're in Hannibal's kitchen, preparing dinner, Will helping him chop vegetables for the stew. Their relationship is still new, something that has been brewing since they met until the appearance of Tobias Budge led Hannibal to ask him out on a date and Will, who by then couldn't even pretend indifference, accepted.
Now, or seconds before, Hannibal, without looking up from the preparation in one of the pans, has asked him to julienne the tomatoes and, instead of using his name (which he likes to use so fucking much), he called Will darling.
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Mid-S1, established relationship. Will learns to live with Hannibal's pet names, to be cared for, perhaps even loved. But the shadow of the truth, of the manipulations, hides behind the affection he believes he sees, leading him to confront Hannibal and leaving him at a crossroads where our cannibal must choose whether to continue with his games or save his beloved.