“I’m curious whether either of us can survive separation” goes harder when we remember that Will and Hannibal were solitary before meeting each other. Will wanted but couldn’t bear company; Hannibal had but didn’t need company. They met each other, got tangled up with each other, realised no one else knows them as much as they do nor can they. It must feel insanely addictive and reckless—to have a part of someone in you and be a part of someone to such an extent that you question if living would be as fun or interesting without them in your life, especially because you thought that kind of company wasn’t for you.