Will was bored. He had explored all the caves he was allowed to enter, swam in the lake a dozen times, and he organized a small cove Hannibal designated as his. It wasn't so bad when the dragon was there, both parties curling up together and sharing stories or simply enjoying each other's company. However, Hannibal was gone most of the day, leaving Will to entertain himself. At first, Will was fine with this arrangement, but after weeks of being cooped up in his new home with only the open skylight in the lake Will was starting to become bored and antsy.
Which was why Will found himself standing on the edge of the gold coins leading to the entrance of the cave. He never ventured beyond, for he knew Hannibal would find out. The dragon had the nose of a hound and could easily find Will wherever he went. Will dug the toe of his boots into the coins, causing them to clink and move against each other. He stood a moment longer before daring to step forward and onto the solid cave floor.
Nothing happened, as Will speculated. He took another cautious step, and then another before he was steadily walking toward the path that lead to the entrance. He kept telling himself he was only going to peek outside. He wasn't going to actually leave the cave. Usually, or so he had heard, dragons liked to have their caves in the mountains or near volcanoes. He had every reason to believe the latter was true. All of the caves except the lake room were warm, and even then the water in the lake was above usual temperatures. There was no real way for Will to escape, for it would be too high for him to safely get down. With that in mind, Will reassured himself enough to finally take the last steps and turn the corner.
Bright light shone at the end of a long tunnel, and Will felt his heart leap. Just seeing the natural light within grasp caused Will to practically sprint down the tunnel and into the sunlight.
A strong gust of wind greeted Will as he exited the tunnel, his hair flying as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Taking in the warmth of the sun, Will opened his eyes and observed his surroundings. Correct in his assumptions, Will stood at the edge of a rocky cliff overlooking a vast forest. He took his time and looked for any familiar land marks, but he couldn't find any. The forest below was a sea of green, the trees so close together Will could not see the ground below. The tops swayed in the wind, rustling against each other to join in the natural orchestra.
Will smiled and moved with the wind, closing his eyes in contentment and enjoying his short time before he had to return to the cave. He was about to sit down when something made him pause. What was that sound?
Will tilted his head and strained his ears over the movement of the leaves and the whistle of the wind. There, very faint, was a sharp cry, one associated with dogs and other canines. Will's heart clenched as he listened to the distressed animal, the cries of pain growing more and more urgent.
Scanning the cliff, Will sought a way down, and quickly located a manageable section of the rocky face. He started down easily enough, but about halfway it proved to be more hazardous. He lost his footing a number of times, but it was on particularly tricky and dubious foot hold that the section broke off completely, causing Will to plummet into the trees below. He barely had enough time to scream before he crashed into the branches, bouncing off the limbs which pained gasps until he met his final destination with the ground. He laid there for a moment, his body thrumming in pain as he tried to figure out what was broken and what was safe to move.
Tentatively, he pushed himself up, hissing and gasping in pain as his muscles protested. Neither of his arms were broken and his legs seemed safe as well. However, he discovered a semi-large cut on his forehead and forearm, and his ribs protested strongly when he tried to breathe. But he was perfectly fine. For now.
Will looked up in a vain attempt to see the cave, but he couldn't see anything past the foliage. He hoped Hannibal wouldn't go on a rampage looking for him, or worse, eat him in his anger. The dragon was level headed and Will knew he would think rationally, but he was still not looking forward to the dragon's inevitable ire. The whine called for Will's attention once more, and he set out into the unknown forest to find the source.
It didn't take long for Will to stumble upon the poor creature. A dog with brown and black fur laid limply on the ground, its fur matted in dirt and mud that ran rightly over its visible ribs. One hind leg was caught securely in a bear trap, the metal teeth biting into the flesh to reveal bone. Flies had already begun to swarm the poor creature who didn't have the energy to fend them off. Will knew if he didn't do something the dog would perish.
He approached slowly, opening both hands to show the dog he meant to harm and crouched down. The dog didn't move, didn't even snarl. He just watched Will with tired eyes.
"It's okay," Will said softly, easing a hand closer. "Everything will be okay. You'll be fine in no time."
Will placed his hand by the dog's nose, and the dog sniffed him. After he was satisfied the dog wouldn't attempt to bite him, Will shucked off his shirt and wrapped it around his hands. He moved to where he could easily grab hold of the metal claws, squeezed his fingers in the small open gap, and tried to pull it open. The dog cried in pain and squirmed, but Will continued to pull. He had to be careful. One wrong move, one slip of the hand and the jaws would snap shut again, severing fingers and injuring the dog more. When the opening was big enough, he braced one of his heels against one toothed edge, and he pried the trap open, freeing the dog.
Ensuring the dog was out of the trap, Will let it fall shut, careful to pull his fingers and foot away. He wiped his brow and turned to the dog, finding him nursing his leg. The limb looked infected and Will feared it would have to be amputated.
"Here, boy, let me look at that," he said softly and gently took the leg in hand. The dog did not bite him, whining as Will prodded and examined it. There was little Will could do without proper herbs or medicine and the only way he was going to get that was back at the cave.
Will tried once again to see the cave through the trees when the dog began to lick his face. Will jumped in surprise, but he smiled and petted the dog, encouraging him. The dog started to wag his tail.
"Don't worry, boy. Everything will be okay," the wind started to pick up and the sky seemed to darken through the leaves. "Hopefully."
Will wrapped the dog's leg in his shirt and picked him up. The dog was small enough to carry, but Will worried about how easy it was to pick him up. The dog gave Will another few licks as he carried him, but soon laid his head down on his shoulder, his little energy sapped.
Will pulled the dog closer and hurried to the mountain — or volcano, Will still wasn't sure. However, he didn't have a plan as he stood along the edge. How was he going to haul the dog and himself back up the cliff? Even if he could find footholds, Will was handicapped with only one hand, and he was still in pain from his earlier fall. He was stuck.
The wind, which was already increasing, spiked, and before Will could wonder what was happening, he found himself firmly grasped and hauled into the sky. Will let out a startled yelp as the ground disappeared from beneath him, his grasp on the dog tightening, but he soon caught sight of familiar claws gripped around his waist. Just as soon as he was picked up Will was put back down onto solid ground, back onto the cliff. He fell inelegantly onto his bottom, trying to keep the dog from getting hurt any further. The ground shook as Hannibal landed, his scales shining as he transformed into his human form. He stood before Will, his face unreadable.
"You disobeyed me," the dragon finally said, disappointment laced in his works. Will flinched and ducked his head, avoiding the cold eyes.
"Please, he needs help," Will said, directing Hannibal's attention to the poor dog in his arms. The dog's breathing was labored and he was beginning to shake. Will feared the sudden move had upset the injury and he lowered the dog in order to examine the leg. The scabs had been broken open and blood began to pour sluggishly, mixing with yellow puss and matted dirt. Will looked up at Hannibal, who was still looking down indifferently at him.
"Please, you can punish me later, but please help him."
Red eyes lazily settled on the poor mutt, blinking at him in a bored fashion. Will could see the dragon was still angry. He could see how the hellish pupils were barely visible, how his clawed hands twitched in reigned in power. Will hoped Hannibal wouldn't take out his anger on the dog. He would do anything to prevent any further harm to come to him.
Finally, Hannibal moved around Will's crouched form, beckoning Will to follow him. Will smiled and gently picked up the dog, a new spring in his step as he returned to the depths of the caves.
A long bath, a jar of mysterious magic cream as Will called it, and a few bandages later left the dog, now named Winston, sparkling clean and healed. The wound was near healed after the magic cream had been applied, the skin having healed over the bone. It was still broken, but Hannibal assured Will the limb would not have to be removed and the infection should be gone in a couple days.
Will smiled down at Winston as he slept comfortably in Will's treasure room. Hannibal didn't want the dog in their bedroom, which Will was fine with. As long as Winston got better and had a place to sleep. He stroked the dog's head one last time before leaving to find the dragon.
Hannibal was rearranging his treasure, his posture stiff as he overlooked his gold. Will took a few tentative steps before stopping. The dragon had barely said a word to him the entire time they were treating Winston, responding only when Will asked a question, and even that was cold and clipped. Will knew he had crossed a line with the dragon's trust. However, Hannibal couldn't expect him to stay cooped in the caves forever. He was a living being that needed sunlight and fresh air to thrive.
As he watched Hannibal move around, Will found himself suddenly feeling angry. How dare Hannibal be upset with him. He had no right. Will could leave whenever he liked; he lived here, too.
Anger beginning to build in his chest, Will moved forward to give the dragon a piece of his mind. He wasn't expecting, however, the ground to shift beneath his feet.
Will gave a cry as coins slipped beneath his feet, sending him down the hill of gold which he was unable to stop until he was at the bottom. He hissed in pain, his injuries from falling into a few dozen branches flaring up and his sides protested harshly as he gasped in pain.
Hannibal was over him in an instant, his hands gently removing Will's from where he grasped his torso. Talons skimmed over his ribs, the bruises finally showing the aftermath of his earlier fall. Will winced, and Hannibal frowned.
"How did you get these bruises?" he asked. The dragon's eyes snapped up to Will's forehead and grasped the man's face, examining the cut above his brow.
"I, well, fell when I was… Climbing down the… mountain…" Will stumbled over his words as Hannibal's eyes widened in surprise.
"You what?" the dragon growled.
"But it's okay! I was already half way down the side of the cliff before I fell. The trees lessened the impact."
Hannibal's face was comically frozen in surprise before it darkened.
"Hannibal it's okay—ack!"
Will struggled as he was lifted into Hannibal's arms and carried away.
"Hannibal! Put me down, I am a grown man-"
"That's up for debate, dear William," the dragon muttered.
"that can walk on my own, and I don't need you manhandling me!"
Will tried to kick the dragon, but Hannibal held him securely to his chest until they got to their bedroom. Will expected him to simply toss him onto the furs, but he found himself gently lowered to the bed. Hannibal left again before reappearing with the jar of magic cream. Will hissed as the cold cream was applied to his chest and torso, but Hannibal gently shushed him. He made sure the skin was thoroughly covered, moving from Will's front to his back.
Will watched in silence, allowing himself to be moved and positioned under the large hands. The dragon was so gentle, and when he applied it to his face, not just his cuts, it caused him to blush. Hannibal didn't say anything, but his thumbs chased after the trail of red, moving to his ears and neck. Will's breath hitched, and red eyes met blue. They watched each other, neither moving as they gazed into each other's eyes, a rare treat in Hannibal's case.
Will blinked slowly, his head tilting into Hannibal's palm. There was something off with the dragon. There was something different, but Will couldn't grasp it. Hannibal must have known Will was searching for something, for he moved away to continue his treatment with Will's arms. Will's mind was in a whirl until he finally pieced it together.
Worried. Hannibal was worried about him. He didn't like that Will tried to escape, furious even. However, the emotion that overrode everything else was worry. Worry and concern. Will could have seriously injured himself in his attempts to get down the cliff, broken bones at least and death as the worse. Will didn't understand. He was just a human, nothing exciting or overwhelming about him. Why would Hannibal be concerned for him? He was a nobody. An outcast from his village.
"Are you hurt anywhere else?" Hannibal asked, breaking through his thoughts. Will shook his head, and Hannibal smiled. "That's good. Do try to refrain from falling down cliffs in the future. You are a human, William, not a dragon. You cannot fly."
Will nodded mutely. The dragon gave him one last look over before standing, the jar in hand. "I'll be back. Please get some rest, William. You've had a busy day."
While Will's body was tired, his mind was wide-awake. His mind wanted to piece together why Hannibal, a dragon, would be worried about him, a little human that had visions and a sleep walking problem. Sure, he was Hannibal's pet, but he was replaceable. There were plenty of other humans that were probably more interesting, saner than him.
And yet, Hannibal was worried about him. Him, of all things. No one has ever worried about him. People were usually worried that he would do something that would damn the village, but never actually about him. They could couldn't care less about him.
Hannibal cared for him. Hannibal was concerned about his health. Hannibal was the one who saved him from death, who gave him a new place to live, who is in the process of helping him with his visions and sleep walking. Will thought about the nights they spent together, talking, reading, or just simply siting silently together. Hannibal carding his fingers in his hair, or Will stroking Hannibal's scales, causing the dragon to purr. Will realized he was not just a pet, but a companion to a lonely dragon.
Hannibal cared, and Will's heart swelled with affection before it crashed into guilt. He made the dragon worry. After everything he did for him, he caused Hannibal to worry.
Will gathered a blanket around him before seeking out Hannibal, finding him just outside the tunnel to the treasure room. He turned when he heard Will approach, mouth opening, probably to scold Will for not resting, when Will wrapped his arms around him.
Hannibal froze, but Will didn't mind. He rubbed his face against the dragon's chest, breathing in his scent as he squeezed him closer. Hannibal finally raised his hands, fixing the blanket around Will's shoulders before wrapping his own arms around him.
"I'm sorry," Will whispered. "I'm sorry."
Hannibal rubbed Will's back silently before sighing.
"I forgive you, Will," Hannibal said softly. "Come, we'll talk about this in the morning."
Will didn't want to talk about it tomorrow. He rather they talked about it now, set the ground work for their living arrangements now before he caused more problems. But Hannibal wouldn't have it as he gently guided Will back to their room and tucked him into the furs.
"We will talk about it tomorrow."