Will was waiting for Hannibal with his arms crossed on the ledge and his tail gently swishing in the water. It gave Hannibal a thrill to see the deadly creature calm before his presence. He still had to be careful, of course. William was a top notch predator and only a fool would lower their guard. As a precaution, Hannibal kept a scalpel on his person should William decide he preferred a living meal.
"How do you feel?" Hannibal asked. It had been five days since Will allowed him to tend to his infection and everything was healing nicely.
Will smiled. Hannibal tried to get the merman to talk to him, but he had yet to hear one peep out of Will that wasn't a gasp of pain. He had heard stories of how beautiful merfolk voices were, and Hannibal suspected the infection had something to do with the merman's silence.
Hannibal lowered Will's meal-the lungs of a peculiarly rude theatre patron, and Will delicately picked at the chopped pieces. He ate in such a civilized manner. It was a pleasant surprise for Hannibal.
With his meal completed, Will pushed the plate aside and bared his neck. Hannibal smiled and began to apply the ointment. Will's neck, which had been an angry red, was dusted pink. He had been breathing easier these past days and he no longer winced when he ate his meals.
"You're a fast healer, William," Hannibal commented as he gave the neck one final stroke. "At this rate, you might get your treat earlier than scheduled."
William's eyes seemed to light up, his sharp teeth peeking out in his smile. Hannibal was finding himself more and more entranced.
Hannibal frowned as he watched Will swim sluggishly. He noticed the merman had become less active the last few days. Will would swim from one end of the tank to the other. The little spirit that he gained over the course of Hannibal's care seemed sapped from him. Hannibal didn't understand. He had done everything right. He had an aquarium big enough to house three merfolk comfortably, the environment was kept clean and fresh, and Will's diet was perfect. What seemed to be wrong?
Will picked up a weighted ring Hannibal had given him for simulation when he was unable to entertain the merman. He tossed it a few times before watching it sink down to the bottom. His shoulders slumped. Hannibal's mind clicked. He left Will to continue his slow, melancholic lap.
He had a phone call to make.
Will watched curiously as Hannibal directed the movers carrying a large crate. He wondered what the human was up to. Hannibal had been making modifications to his home. He added more places for Will to lounge above water should he choose too. He also added taller barriers along the top as well as a door mechanism near the stair case. It was all very odd. Will kept his distance when the workers had been there. He trusted Hannibal, but no one else. The workers seemed to prefer it that way. They kept glancing at him or keeping him within their line of site. Will had momentarily entertained the thought of leaping out and taking a tiny nibble, but he had a feeling Hannibal would find the behavior punishable. And Will really wanted his treat.
The men placed the crate where Will typically took his meals. Perhaps this was his treat? Will poked his head out of the water and took a sniff. It didn't smell like food, but it smelled familiar.
The men left, and Will edged closer to the crate. There were holes around the sides. He tried to peek in, but all he could see was darkness. He took another sniff and placed a clawed hand on the wood. The crate moved. Will flinched back; his curiosity burned. There was a muffled cry inside. It sounded like a bark.
He stared transfixed at the crate before he realized Hannibal was standing there. He moved back as Hannibal opened the crate and pulled out a tiny bundle of fur. Will gasped as Hannibal placed a harbor seal pup on the ledge. Will immediately swam up to the tiny creature and stroked its head. The pup leaned into the touch.
Hannibal observed the two slowly bond. He had heard of merfolk keeping other creatures as pets just like humans. It seemed he had made the right choice as Will nuzzled against the pup.
"I've been told he's been weaned and capable of eating fish." Hannibal said.
Will nodded, but all his attention was on the seal. The pup gave a little bark and slipped in the water. Soon the two were chasing one another in the tank. Will would take the weighted rings and toss it for the seal. Hannibal smiled as the liveliness came back to Will. He left the two to go to work and when he came back he found them nestled and curled around one another on the new sandy ledge he had built for them. It was going to be an extra mouth to feed, but Hannibal found he didn't mind. He would do anything to keep his William happy.