Chapter Text
Will opened his eyes.
He was on his side, staring dully at a white linen pillowcase.
Something bulky and warm was tucked up tight behind him, and with another slow blink he realized it was a person.
A solid body was blanketing him, chest pressed against Will's back, their bodies aligned along the calf, the knee, the thigh. An arm was tight across his chest. So close that he was pretty sure they could both feel the gentle gurgling of his stomach.
There was a hardness resting between his legs. Nipples pushing against his back. A face in his neck, worrying the thin skin gently with his teeth.
Will opened his mouth to speak but found he had no voice.
A broad palm settled over his eyes, urging them closed. "Sleep, William."
He relaxed into the rocking of slow breaths, feeling the faint flutter of each exhale past his ear.
Will slept.
-
He was on his back the next time he opened his eyes. He squirmed a little and found himself no closer to freedom.
He was swaddled up in the sheets, he realized. They were tucked and wrapped in such a way that they wouldn't come loose no matter how much he tried to shift. His arms were pinned at his side, his legs bound together.
"Awake again?"
Will was lifted by competent hands, rolled over onto his side. The sheets around his lower half were untucked, baring his backside. Will realized he was naked and moaned, softly. Being exposed immediately caused him to be wracked with shivering.
"Hush, my good boy." His buttocks were smoothly parted, then something hard and thin was pressed up into his anus. Will's jaw dropped open at the sensation. It couldn't possibly be as big as it felt inside him. He was just oversensitive from exposure, his whole body aching and sore.
His thighs were bound back up in the sheets, squeezing him tight around the thermometer.
"Just rest, now," said Hannibal. A heavy palm landed on his head, stroking his hair.
Will faded out again.
-
Will woke up surrounded by water. His head was carefully placed on the rim of the bathtub, a rolled towel under his neck. Hannibal was kneeling next to the tub, his shirt sleeves rolled up, humming under his breath. He was scrubbing Will's muddy calves, pressing hard to cleanse Will of the dirt and sweat he’d accumulated in his nighttime wanderings.
Will was naked, his legs were spread wide, exposing all of him to Hannibal. Will squeaked, the most sound he could muster, attracting Hannibal’s attention.
"Not just yet, my dear," hummed Hannibal, draping a warm, wet washcloth over his eyes. It pressed and sealed his eyelids shut, blinding him.
Hannibal moved down to his feet.
-
Will was conscious as he was lifted bodily from the bath - Hannibal must have been far stronger than he looked - and tenderly dried with a warm towel. Hannibal eased his uncooperative limbs into plaid flannel pajamas, and pulled wool socks onto his feet.
He was carried into the sitting room and placed on the sofa, half-sitting up with the aid of many cushions. Another blanket was produced and applied.
Then Hannibal’s hand was on his jaw, peeling his mouth open, sliding something plastic inside. Will moaned but suckled instinctively, tasting something warm and sweet. Hannibal was feeding him, his hand curled under Will’s chin, keeping his mouth closed around what Will was pretty sure was a turkey baster.
Will was full before Hannibal was satisfied. He managed a soft whine, trying to turn his head, but Hannibal didn't allow it. Instead he stroked Will's cheek and rubbed his throat, coaxing him to swallow a little more in spite of himself.
Finally he withdrew the pipette, wiping Will’s mouth with a cloth napkin.
"I know you're awake, William."
Will was too tired to open his eyes. "Mn."
"It is 6:52 AM in Baltimore, Maryland. You were found walking outside my house early this morning, dressed in only your underclothes. I debated calling an ambulance but your internal temperature was not yet critical."
Will felt his cheeks flush, both at the knowledge that he was walking in his "underclothes" - read, ratty boxer-briefs - and at the memory of how Hannibal measured his internal temperature.
"You will stay here until I'm satisfied your health has not been adversely affected, so that I can continue to administer treatment as necessary."
Will nodded shortly, hardly in any position to argue. He sighed as Hannibal guided him to lie back all the way flat, a palm resting on Will's forehead briefly before carding through his hair.
As much as he hated to admit it, with his physical symptoms getting worse and his mental state deteriorating, Will knew he desperately needed to be under supervision.
And there was no place safer than in the care of Doctor Lecter.