"I... See things," Will began, grabbing coins and having them run through his fingers. He watched as they slid and chimed against each other all the while refusing to look at the dragon. If Hannibal wanted an explanation, then he was going to get it on Will's terms. He sat across form Hannibal on the piles of treasure on a cushion he had found during his idle wandering around the cave while Hannibal chose to sit directly on the coins. If he was uncomfortable he didn't show it.

"What sort of things?" Hannibal encouraged when Will fell silent. He kept his hands in his lap which Will was grateful after what happened last night. Will pulled his robe around him before continuing.

"Um, things that aren't real, or at least I think they aren't real. I... I've seen visions of death. Sometimes I recognize them, sometimes I don't..." Will fell silent as he picked up a necklace. The gold glittered prettily, but Will put it back down just as quickly as he picked it up. "I've had voices telling me of how they died or accuse me of their deaths. They try to hurt me, one way or another."

"Are you always asleep when you have these visions?" Hannibal asked.

"No, I've had them when I'm awake, too. I haven't had a waking vision since I've been here, though." The dragon smiled, but Will ignored it. "They come at random moments: when I'm at home, when I'm fishing, when I'm in the village, anywhere. It got so bad that I was forced to move out into the forest."

"But you had to go into the village for food," Hannibal said, his red eyes intense. "They wouldn't keep you from receiving food."

Will snorted. "They tried. At first everyone avoided me and the market was deserted each time I went there. But soon people stopped being afraid of me and started to become... Angry."

He rubbed a spot on his right side from where one of the villagers struck him with a broom handle. It was hard to breathe for a long time after that incident.

The dragon watched as Will stroked at the phantom pain before trying to make eye contact. Will refused. "What of your sleep walking? Is that new?"

"No, no I've always been a sleep walker. Even when I was little. The visions... They don't help." He ran a hand over his face and tugged at his hair. He stopped himself when he saw Hannibal's arm rise to pull it away. "My visions often chase me and want to hurt me. Usually I am able to stay in my bed or spot when I have them, but not always. On more occasions than I would like to recount I've woken up in the middle of the forest when they are particularity bad."

"Did no one help you?"

"Well, why would they help me? I ranked under the village idiot. As far as they were concerned I could have fallen off a cliff and they wouldn't have even missed me. Why do you think they were trying to burn me at the stake?"

Hannibal didn't answer. He suddenly stood up and Will jumped.

"W-where are you going?" he called after him, but Hannibal didn't answer. Will jumped to his feet and ran after him. "Hannibal, where are you going?"

He followed him to the edge where the piles of gold stop. As soon as Hannibal crossed the threshold Will halted in his tracks. The first rule Hannibal had told him he had to obey was to never cross this section. He was allowed to go to any of the other caves, but he wasn't allowed to go this way. The gold coins acted as a safety zone. Where there was gold he could go, but where the ground was bare he was not. Will had a sneaking suspicion that this cave lead to the outside.

Will stood and watched Hannibal. The dragon looked over his shoulder and Will must have looked pitiful for he gave him a soft smile.

"I'll return shortly. There's something I need to do. Try to get some rest, pet. It'll do you some good." And he turned the corner and was gone.

Will continued to stand in his spot before sighing. That dragon. What was he up to? Looking forlornly in the direction of the entrance, Will forced himself to head back to the nest. Maybe a nap would be good.

Will didn't sleep. Instead he decided to explore his new home some more. He had done a little searching, but Hannibal was always with him one way or another. If Will got up and moved to a new location Hannibal was sure to follow. The dragon didn't seem to like him going off on his own, and Will wasn't sure whether the dragon didn't like him being alone with his treasure or Will being alone period. Will followed a path he had yet to take and was surprised at what he found at the end.

It was a lake. A giant lake with walls lined with unlit torches and a high, open ceiling. Will gasped as he took in the fresh air and blue sky peeking through the ceiling. It was so beautiful. Looking at the water Will suddenly became aware of how clammy his skin felt. It had been days since he was able to bathe, and Hannibal had yet to comment on his smell. He figured it couldn't hurt to have a quick dip. He didn't know when the dragon was coming back, so he might as well bathe. He peered into the crystal clear water but didn't see any living creatures. He figured he would have found some frogs or even small fish, but there wasn't any wildlife.

Maybe Hannibal's presence keeps them away, Will thought. After some deliberation, he began to remove his clothes.

The water was cool, but at least it was warmer than the pond Will used to bathe in by his house. The sand shifted under his feet and the water became cloudy, but it settled quickly. He laughed as the sand tickled his toes and as he got to the deeper parts he kicked off and started to swim. It was too bad he didn't have any soap, but then again he didn't think he'd want to sully the water. He scrubbed as best he could, trying to get the dirt and grime from the past few days off. When he felt he could do no more he simply floated about, looking up through the opening in the ceiling and admiring the blue sky. He didn't think he'd miss it, but after spending days in the dark caves and torchlight he found himself craving to go outside. Maybe he could ask Hannibal if he could go out. With his supervision, of course.

Will sighed before taking a breath and ducking under. He went to touch the bottom, finding the lake was not that deep, and resurfaced once more. He wiped the water from his eyes and turned to go back to shore, and he nearly had a heart attack.

Hannibal was lounging in his dragon form, his hellish eyes watching in amusement.

"When did you return?" Will called out, and the dragon gave an equivalent to a shrug.

"Not too long ago, pet. You seem to be enjoying yourself."

Will didn't answer as he made his way back to shore. He got out of the water, unconcerned as Hannibal watched him. The dragon had seen him naked on a few accounts but for some reason Will wasn't disturbed or shy in his presence. He chalked it up to Hannibal being Hannibal and a dragon. He was just a pet, nothing more.

Will went to pick his clothes up when he saw they weren't there. "Hannibal, what did you do with my clothes."

"I assure you I have no idea." the dragon said with amusment. Will glared up at him before trying to wipe the excess water off his arms.

"Are you going to tell me where you went?" he asked. He jumped as Hannibal lowered his massive head to his level and backed away. "...What are you doing, Hannibal."

Instead of answering, Hannibal opened his giant maw and blew a gust of warm air. Will almost fell to the ground at the force and held his hands up to protect his face from the heat. The water clinging to his skin sizzled as it evaporated and left his body in a tingling state.

Hannibal stopped and looked at his work, and he chuckled at the sight of Will's hair.

"There, much better." The dragon nodded before reverting to his human form. He held out a clean robe and wrapped Will in it. "Now, how about we do something about your hair."

Will scowled and ran his fingers through the frizzy strands. "You could have warned me."

"But where's the fun in that?" Hannibal said with a smile and lead Will away from the lake.

Hannibal combed the brush though Will's hair, stroking the curls down into a tamed state. They wouldn't stay down, but neither party was concerned. Will was almost asleep, relaxed by the gentle ministrations. How long has it been since someone had brushed his hair? The only time he could think was when he was still a small child and his mother was alive. Will melted into the touches, letting Hannibal move his head as he saw fit.

Hannibal put the brush down after a little while, but he began to run his fingers through the glossy strands. Eventually Will found himself laying down with his head in Hannibal's lap as the dragon continued to pet him. If he could he would have purred.

"I had some business to take care of," Hannibal broke the silence, and Will blinked his eyes blearily.

"What kind of business?" Will slurred, and Hannibal smiled as he ran one hand along an unshaven cheek.

"Just something that I had been meaning to do for awhile now. It's been taken care of now, so you don't need to worry."

Will hummed in agreement, not caring at the moment. He could fall asleep right now if he wanted to, and he really did want to. He felt safe and secure, two things he never thought he would have again, especially in the hands of a dragon. Will smiled as he settled his head in a more comfortable position and sighed. If this was what being Hannibal's pet entailed, then he didn't mind. He didn't mind one bit.

I should be working on "Anchor in a Lockdown", but I'm working on this fluff instead.