Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Hannibal couldn’t say he had a bad life. 

He had more than other Omegas; in fact, other Omegas would have every right to be jealous.    

He had his blanket and his books and a nice cage he could almost stand up in.  And as long as he kept Master pleased, he was rarely punished. 

But Hannibal didn’t always please his Master.  Hannibal was “spirited,” as his Master put it, and needed to be kept in line.  So sometimes Hannibal went without food, had his blanket taken away, and was more than once left out in the rain. 

Hannibal understood why these things happened, but as the cold rattled his bones as he stood naked and shivering on the stoop of Master’s backdoor, he longed for the safety and security of his cage. 

---

Hannibal awoke with the sun, the cold cramping his muscles and making his joints rigid as he uncurled from the ball he had arranged himself in.  Surely Master was no longer angry.  Surely he would get to come inside. 

The door cracked open and his Master looked down at where he sat, his face impassive.  Wordlessly, he grabbed him by the collar and ushered him in. 

The man looked at Hannibal where he remained on the floor.  “Get up,” he growled.  He pulled Hannibal up on his wobbly legs and hooked his leash.  He led him outside where he opened the car door and pushed him into the front seat. 

Hannibal blinked up at him.  He had not expected to go for a ride, but Hannibal tried to be a good Omega, so he obeyed.  Deep down, however, he was afraid.  The only times he had been in a car, it was to go to the doctor, and Hannibal hated doctors. 

Master didn’t speak as he drove along the winding roads.  Hannibal stared wide-eyed at the new surroundings, the landscape rushing by the window in a multi-hued blur.  Eventually, green rolling hills gave way to the steel of the city, and still Master said nothing.  They were not going to the doctor; Hannibal knew the way, and this was not it.  They were going somewhere Hannibal had never been. 

The man parked in front of a grey building, leaving Hannibal in the car.  He was gone for a very long time, and when he returned, another man was with him.  The man was holding a rope leash, very different from the nice leather one Master used.  The man clipped it to Hannibal’s collar and tugged. 

“Come, Omega,” he said coolly. 

Hannibal looked at his Master, who would not meet his eyes.  When he finally looked at him, Hannibal registered no emotion, just the hard set of the man’s jaw.  “Go on, Hannibal,” he said roughly.  “Go with this man.” 

Hannibal didn’t understand, but he obeyed nonetheless and followed the man into the grey building.  The man removed his leather collar and replaced it with a rigid plastic one.  There was an id tag hanging from the loop. 

Hannibal blinked up at the man, wisps of shaggy silvery blond hair in his eyes.  Where was Master?  What was this new place?

The man seemed to read his thoughts.  “Welcome to the Adoption Center, Omega.  Now let’s get you settled in.” 

---

Will fiddled nervously with his tie.  He had noticed the internship opportunity on the college board and thought it would be the perfect way to spend his off hours.  Working with Omegas, making a difference.  Will’s progressive ideas about Omegas--that they should be treated the same way as Alphas and Betas--had always been met with a measure of skepticism from his friends, but Will didn’t mind.  He smiled as the tie’s knot finally slipped into place.  It was almost time. 

Will arrived in front of the austere building with time to spare.  He checked himself in the lobby, adjusting his glasses in the mirror before signing in at the front desk, the lady with the clipboard smiling shyly at him. 

She was a Beta, he surmised, her natural scent clean and antiseptic. Will’s keen sense of smell rarely failed him. 

Just then, a well-dressed man came from the office, his hand outstretched. A sweaty tang of Alpha permeated the air, and Will’s own scent spiked. 

“Mr. Graham. Come have a seat in my office.” 

The man settled behind his desk, with Will on the other side. He smoothed a hand down his suit, a faux sense of self-importance emanating from him.

“I’m Dr. Frederick Chilton, the administrator of the Omega Adoption Center.”

Will smiled a little nervously, avoiding direct eye contact.  “Nice to meet you Dr. Chilton.” 

The man’s good graces seemed to evaporate almost immediately.  “Let me be blunt, Mr. Graham.  We don’t normally allow Alphas to intern.” 

Will frowned, but the man continued.

“It’s the Omegas, you see.  Most Alphas can’t contain themselves.  We have some Alphas on staff, sure, but they are seasoned professionals.”

The man folded his hands together, smiling slightly. 

Will swallowed.  “I’m on suppressants,” he said confidently.  “And I don’t have a problem with Omegas.” 

Chilton laughed.  “I’m sure you don’t.  But these,” he tutted, “none of them are on suppressants…simply too expensive.  Some of them are unclaimed as well, and their scents are very concentrated.”

Will frowned.  “I assure you, Dr. Chilton, I am in control of myself.”  He straightened.  “I’m not owned by my biology.”

The man licked his lips, and Will found that there was something about him he just didn’t like.  “Yes, I’m sure you aren’t Mr. Graham.   But you’ve never been in a room with this many bitches, all simpering and yowling, some begging for a knot.”  Something glinted in the man’s eyes, and it made Will uncomfortable. 

Will cleared his throat, his eyes narrowing at the crass language Chilton used.  “I’m just here to help out.  I would like the opportunity to do so, if you would let me.” 

Chilton leaned back in his chair, considering.  He sighed.  “Perhaps we’ll try it.  You stay on your suppressants.  Buy a decent scent blocker.  It just might work…God knows we could use the extra hands.” 

Will nodded.  “I won’t let you down, Dr. Chilton.” 

---

It was loud and cold and the lights never went out.  There were no windows in the Adoption Center, at least not that Hannibal had seen, and he had lost track of time fairly quickly. 

His cage was one of hundreds crammed in a shotgun-style building.  Two ventilator fans circulated the air, and Hannibal was constantly cold.  His neighbors to the right and left of him changed frequently…he suspected they were adopted.  The female Omega across the room from him had been here longer than him. 

They didn’t dress their Omegas, but Hannibal was used to being naked.  His cage had a concrete floor with a drain in the middle, and once a day the workers would turn on a high-powered hose to wash away the filth.  The water stung Hannibal’s skin, sometimes raising welts. 

Hannibal missed his cage at Master’s house.  He missed what meager belongings he had.  He missed the treats Master would give him when he had been particularly good.  Here, they fed him protein mash once a day, devoid of taste. 

Hannibal knew some Omegas left the cage and never came back.  There were whispers among them that older Omegas, the ones who had been here the longest, were taken down a long hall and destroyed.  Hannibal thought of all of the neighbors he’d had since arriving at the Adoption Center and realized they couldn’t have all found homes. 

He curled up in the corner of his cage and waited for his turn, when the time would come when he would walk down the long hallway and never come back. 

---

Will wasn’t sure what he expected to find at the Adoption Center, but it certainly wasn’t this.  Beyond the cheerful lobby, the interior off the building opened up into a large warehouse-like facility that housed the Omegas.  Much of the description Frederick Chilton had given had been regrettably accurate; Omegas cried and whimpered from nearly every cage, and the air was thick with their mingling scents.  One or more of them were in heat; Will detected it immediately.  The scent glands on his neck strained under their blockers as Will found the cage of one of the poor Omegas. 

It was a female, and she was clutching her abdomen, riding through the cramps.  She looked up at Will pitifully, pleading in her eyes.  He just stared back, stunned. 

“Hose her down,” a worker told Will.  “It will cool her off and take her mind off the pain.” 

Will jerked awake as a hose was placed in his hand.  “Go ahead,” the man urged.

The Omega looked up at Will fearfully.  Will’s hands shook on the hose. 

“I can’t,” Will said finally, handing off the hose.  “I won’t hurt her.” 

The man snorted.  “She’s suffering anyway.  Nothing to help her ride it out.  No chance of a knot.” He opened the nozzle and a powerful spray knocked the Omega on her side.  She took the onslaught without making a sound. “It’s better this way.” 

Will looked away, his hand over his mouth.  This was not what he signed up for, he thought bitterly. 

Then, he caught a scent that seemed to stand out above the others…something warm and inviting, like a freshly baked vanilla cake.  His eyes widened, and he followed the scent to a cage near the entrance. 

The Omega within was partially hidden in shadow, knees drawn up to his chest.  Will saw the creamy expanse of one thigh where the light struck it, but nothing else. 

Will squatted near the cage, pressing his fingers through the metal slats.  “Hi,” Will said softly. 

The Omega shifted, changing little of his current position. In the dark, Will thought he could see light hair. 

“I’m not going to hurt you,” Will said.  “Can you understand?”

Then, from the shadows, a slender foot slid out, pushing an empty food bowl. 

Will smiled, standing to his full height.  He’d been given a tour of the facility and knew exactly where the food was kept. 

He returned with a scoop of food and quietly unlocked the cage with the set of keys he’d been given.  He hesitated before pouring it in. 

“Come out so I can see your face,” Will said gently.  “I’ve got your food.” 

The Omega within hesitated, then crawled forward into the light. 

Will gasped. Clear, keen amber eyes blinked back at him under a curtain of matted straw-colored hair. There were little grey highlights falling into his eyes, only adding to the charm and beauty of the Omega.

Hannibal pressed his lips together, longingly looking at the scoop of food. 

Will smiled.  He could smell the spike in the Omega’s scent at the sight of the food, and he wouldn’t keep him waiting any longer.  Will filled his bowl and watched as the Omega gingerly scooped the food into his hands, portraying a quiet sort of dignity that seemed singular to him. 

Will watched as Hannibal ate, his shoulders hunched over the bowl, bright eyes trained on his task. He was delicate with his food despite obviously being very hungry. Will wondered how he had come to be at the Center and how long he’d been there. 

“What do you think you’re doing?” came a voice, startling Will out of his revelry.

“He was hungry,” Will replied hotly as he stood and faced the man. 

The man sniffed.  “They’re all hungry.  We feed them on a schedule, but some have heartier appetites than others.”  The man glanced at Hannibal.  “Don’t let them play on your sympathies; they get fed enough.” 

Will brushed his hands off, frowning.  The man was an Alpha, but if Hannibal’s heavenly scent had affected him at all, he didn’t show it.  He just stood frowning at Will like he didn’t belong there. 

“You’re new,” he finally said.  “You’ll get used to it.”  He glanced at Hannibal where he sat in his cage still nibbling his food.  “After a while, they all smell the same.” 

---

But Will never got used to it, and day after day Hannibal’s scent called to him.  He was put in charge of mealtime, and he always lingered near Hannibal’s cage a little longer than the others.

“Good evening, Amber Eyes,” Will said cheerily. “At least that’s what I’m gonna call you until I learn your name. ID 39392 just doesn’t have the same ring to it.” 

Hannibal looked up at Will and smiled. It was the first time he had done so, and again Will was struck with how beautiful he was. Surely he would get adopted soon, he thought to himself.

Will knelt down near Hannibal’s cage and unwrapped the two cookies. “I brought you something today,” he said softly. “Something special.  Now hold out your hand.” 

Hannibal worked his mouth, pulling his plump lower lip to worry it between his teeth.  Will could see the yearning in his eyes, but his hands remained stubbornly in his lap. 

“Come on now,” Will said soothingly. Don’t be afraid.”

Hannibal closed his eyes, letting Will’s scent wash over him. There were plenty of Alphas in the facility, but Will smelled the best…like fresh rain on leaves. He held out his hand. 

Will smiled and placed the two cookies in Hannibal’s hands. Hannibal immediately pressed them to his nose, then slipped them down to his mouth. He took a bite, and his eyes lit up. 

Will laughed fondly as he watched the beautiful Omega nibble thoughtfully on the cookies.  “You like those hmm?” Will fished in his pocket for more, and Hannibal watched him keenly. 

“Come a little closer, and you can have them,” Will said sweetly.  “Come on…that’s it.” 

Hannibal slowly crept closer to the open cage, watching Will warily. His eyes darted from the treats in his hand to Will’s face, and then he abruptly stopped. 

When Master gave him treats, it was always with the expectation that Hannibal would do things for him, too. In Hannibal’s experience, treats always came with a price. 

Hannibal set his mouth, but didn’t go any further. 

Will frowned. He didn’t really understand why, but it was important to him to earn this Omega’s trust. He crouched forward a little bit, but Hannibal shrank back. 

Will sighed. “Ok Amber Eyes,” he said softly. “I’ll just leave these here in your bowl and you can eat them when I’m gone.” 

He shut the cage, Hannibal watching him carefully. As soon as he was out of view, Will heard Hannibal scramble for the cookies, and he smiled. 

---

On Tuesdays, the Omegas were cleaned up and the general public was allowed in. It was Will’s least favorite day; it seemed this day above all others highlighted the social separation between designations, something Will found distasteful. Sure, some Omegas would find adequate homes, but most remained in their cages, forlorn and silent as Alphas walked down the row appraising them. 

An Alpha stopped at Hannibal’s cage, and Will’s heart clenched. 

“May I help you?” Will said as he approached the man.

The Alpha looked up at Will with thinly veiled interest. He pointed to where Hannibal sat, shrinking in the shadows. “Skittish, isn’t he?” 

Will nodded. “A little. But he appears very bright,” Will said, his heart thudding in his chest. 

The man scoffed. “Don’t give a damn about his intelligence,” the man said, “but he certainly is a pretty thing. A little old, maybe.” 

Will could feel the heat rise in his face.  He stepped in front of the Alpha, shielding Hannibal from his view. “He’s spoken for,” he said in his best Alpha voice. 

The smaller man backed down, eyeing Will curiously.  When the man had left, Will realized he’d just laid claim to the Omega without even thinking of it. 

Will had never considered having an Omega before. They were problematic and had specific needs, needs Will felt ill-equipped to fill. There was something about this one, though. He knelt down by the cage just as a blond head peeked its way from the shadows. Hannibal cocked his head at Will, his clear, curious eyes almost peering through him. 

“Hi,” Will said gently. “I’m Will.  What’s your name?”

Hannibal considered for a moment, but kept his lip tucked between his teeth. 

“Can you talk?” 

For a moment, Hannibal wondered if it might be a trick question. Alphas didn’t care much for mouthy Omegas, and his worst punishments from Master had been after he had spoken out of turn. 

Slowly, Hannibal nodded. 

Will’s face lit in a warm smile. “Then tell me your name. Do you have one?” 

Hannibal chewed the inside of his cheek. He lowered his head, looking at his hands and whispered “Hannibal.” 

His voice was so raspy from disuse that it hardly sounded human, but Will thrilled to hear it.  It was softly accented and made something warm unspool in Will’s belly.

“Hannibal.” Will spoke the word gently, letting it settle in his mouth. “Hannibal, would you like to come home with me?” 

Hannibal looked up in alarm. He remembered his cage at Master’s, and he hung his head.  One day Master would come back for him. 

Hannibal slowly shook his head. He could smell the distinct change in the Alpha’s scent…disappointment. 

Will sighed. “If you stay here, you’ll die. He licked his lips, hesitating for a moment.  “Do you understand?” Will placed his hand on the cage, working his fingers through the slats. 

Cool skin met the tips of his fingers as Hannibal pressed his nose to Will’s hand.

“I won’t hurt you,” Will whispered, trying to hold as still as possible. “I would never hurt you.” 

Hannibal pressed his face against the cage and sighed. If he understood Will, he didn’t give any indication. He closed his eyes, leaning against the warm flesh of Will’s palm as best he could through the metal cage. 

“Everything is going to be alright,” Will said quietly. “Just rest now.” 

The next day, Will went to Frederick Chilton’s office with his adoption papers already filled out. He placed the carefully completed packet on the man’s desk, barely containing his excitement. 

“ID 39392. I want to adopt him.” 

Chilton raised his eyebrows, flipping through the catalog of Omegas on his desk.  Beside each ID was a picture taken the day of their arrival.  His eyes narrowed, a small smirk on his face. 

“A handsome one,” he said simply.  “Lovely even.”  Foster smirked.  “I might have to set this one aside for my personal use.”

Will felt his scent spike, anger rising with every breath. 

“Please,” Will said through clenched teeth. “You didn’t even know about Hannibal until just now.” 

Chilton perked up. “Hannibal?” He sneered. “He has a name, does he?” 

Will pursed his lips. “Yes,” Will said. “He told me himself.” 

The man laughed heartily. “Told you, did he? A talkative one.” He licked his lips. “Might be a challenge but I’ll soon work that out of him.”

Will was shaking with anger. He slammed his fist onto Chilton’s desk. “You won’t get away with this,” he said dangerously. “I’ll find a way—“

Chilton started laughing then, a deep mirthless chuckle that mingled with the man’s heady Alpha stench. 

“Relax,” he said easily. “I have no need for another Omega.” He looked down at the catalog. “But I will concede you’ve found yourself a prize.” He looked up at Will. “Are the papers in order?”

Will calmed a bit. He smoothed his hands on his pants, wiping the sweat that had accumulated there. “Yes,” he said. “And my bloodwork too.”

Foster’s eyebrows went skyward. “You’re in a hurry then.” 

Will nodded tightly. He’d seen the kill list. Hannibal was on it. 

“Can we get this done, then?” He summoned his best Alpha voice. “I’d like to get my Omega home as soon as possible.” 

Will blushed a bit as Chilton regarded him.  Then the man smiled. 

“Can’t wait to get your hands on him, can you?”  Chilton sneered.  “And unclaimed, too, even at his age.  Rare that those end up here.” 

Will’s heart beat wildly in his chest. He would play the game if it meant getting Hannibal out of this place. 

“Absolutely,” Will said with a forced smile. 

Chilton leaned back in his chair. “I can’t say that I blame you.” He grabbed for a pen, signing the adoption papers quickly. “After he gets settled, maybe you can have me over some time?” 

A wicked gleam sparkled in Chilton’s eyes, and Will couldn’t hide his scowl.  The papers were already signed; he had nothing to lose. 

“Not likely.” 

Chilton’s face fell. “I see.” He picked up a set of keys behind the desk and stood. “Well let’s get this over with.” 

When they arrived at Hannibal’s cage, he was already gone. Will remembered the kill list, and anguish gripped his heart. He was too late. 

You weren’t able to protect your Omega, his hindbrain offered. You failed him. You’re a bad Alpha.

Will clenched his fist, protesting the nonsense that permeated his thoughts. Perhaps there was still time to save Hannibal. 

He remembered where they took them--down the long hall at the end of the cages—and he set out about getting there as quickly as he could. 

When he got to the hall, the door at the end of it was closed. A sense of dread threatened to overtake Will, but he willed his feet to move.

Inside, Hannibal was on the table with the doctor standing over him. Will could smell the panic in the Omega, and he rushed to his side. 

“He’s mine!” Will growled at the doctor. “I’ve got the papers on him.” Hannibal looked up at Will, stunned whiskey-colored eyes filled with tears. 

Chilton arrived at the door moments later, winded and flustered.  “Let him go, doctor,” he managed through stuttering breaths.  “This one is spoken for.” 

Will helped Hannibal off the table and led him to a small conference room near the office. He held a small stack of clothes. 

“I want you to get dressed, Hannibal. Then we can go home.” 

Out of the security of his cage, Hannibal felt exposed. He backed away from Will and pressed himself into a corner of the small room. 

“You don’t have to be afraid,” Will said softly. “But I’m not taking you out of here naked. So come on.” 

Hannibal dropped to the floor, his arms pressed tightly around his knees. It was a posture Will had seen too many times…Hannibal huddled in the corner of his cage. 

Then, a flash of insight.  “Cookies,” Will said quickly.  “I’ve got cookies in the car.  If you get dressed, you can have them Hannibal.” 

Keen eyes flashed up at him, and Hannibal sniffed the air as if he could detect the location of the treats without doing what Will asked. 

“Not here,” Will repeated. “Get dressed first. Then, cookies. Ok?” 

Hannibal reluctantly nodded, unfolding from his corner to approach Will, but he made no move to grab the clothes. 

Will worked his mouth. “You want me to dress you?” 

Hannibal nodded. Master used to dress him up for parties. Omegas don’t dress themselves…Alphas dress. 

Will sighed. “Ok, I’ll help you,” he said, looking Hannibal in the eyes. “But one day you’ll do this yourself. Now raise your arms.” 

When Hannibal was dressed, Will stepped back to appraise his work. 

The pants were a bit large…after all, Hannibal was a skinny thing…but the sweater would do. He withdrew a leash and clipped it to the too-tight collar. 

Hannibal winced, but said nothing, and Will made a soothing sound that seemed to appease him. “It’s only until we get to the car, then we can take it off.” 

Will led Hannibal to the car and buckled him in. He unhooked the leash and put it away and settled behind the driver’s seat. 

Hannibal looked at him expectantly. 

“Oh!” Will said, suddenly remembering.  “The cookies. Of course.”  Will fished around in the console until he withdrew a package of cookies and gave them to Hannibal. 

The Omega ate unhurried, showing remarkable restraint. 

“Good boy,” Will crooned, and something sparked in Hannibal’s eyes. “Now let’s go home.” 

Will’s house was modest and clean, and Hannibal stared wide-eyed at his new surroundings, absently rubbing his arms in a self-soothing gesture. 

“Let me give you the tour,” Will said a little nervously.  He placed his hand at the small of Hannibal’s back, feeling the Omega flinch slightly. “It’s ok Hannibal,” Will said as he carefully removed his hand. “We won’t push things.  We’ll go at your pace, ok?” 

Hannibal looked up at him, and something inside Will seized. The baggy sweater sagged off Hannibal’s shoulders, and he looked lost. Sad, even. The protective Alpha instinct inside Will roared. 

Will cleared his throat, running a hand through his hair. “Come on, let’s go look at your room.” 

Hannibal followed Will upstairs to a small guest room.  Light shown through the gossamer curtains, falling on a neat bed where several fluffy pillows rested against the backboard.  There was a desk, a closet and a comfy looking chair making up the tidy room. 

“This is all yours Hannibal. The bathroom is the next door down, and I’m at the end of the hall.”

Will stepped past Hannibal and into the room. He opened the closet where a few garments hung. “I’m not sure if any of these will fit, but I’ll go shopping now that I know your size.” 

Will shifted his feet a little, looking at Hannibal as he took in his surroundings.  Hannibal’s eyes darted around anxiously, and Will could practically feel his desire to speak. 

Will smiled. “You can talk to me, Hannibal. You won’t be punished.” 

Hannibal licked his lips nervously. “Cage?” he asked quietly in that sweet voice Will had heard so little of. 

Will shook his head. “No cage, Hannibal. Not here. You’ll sleep in a bed.” Will sat down on the bed in demonstration. “Ok?” 

Hannibal tucked his lower lip between his teeth. 

Will stood, ushering Hannibal out of the room. “Let’s get you cleaned up, hmm?” 

He led him to the bathroom where he started the shower. Hannibal suddenly whined, clinging to Will and shaking fiercely. 

Will’s heart bloomed as the Omega buried his face in his chest, breathing in his scent. He slowly raised his hand, smoothing Hannibal’s back as he quivered against him. 

“It’s not the hose, sweet thing. It’s warm and it will feel nice. See?”

Will took Hannibal’s hand and stretched it out until he could feel the water against his fingers. Steam rose from the bottom of the tub, filling the small bathroom and fogging the mirror. 

“Take a shower Hannibal. Then I’ll fix you something to eat.” 

Hannibal looked up at him, his hands clutching the front of Will’s shirt. “Help?” 

A flush painted Will’s cheeks. The thought of washing Hannibal had never occurred to him, but here he was asking for Will’s assistance, and the Alpha within him felt compelled to comply.  Will nodded, his hold on Hannibal tightening slightly. 

“Just this once,” he said seriously. “Then you wash yourself.  Ok?”

“Ok,” Hannibal said sweetly as he began to strip in the steamy bathroom. He went toward the tub, but Will stopped him.  

“Let’s get this collar off of you.”

The skin around it was red and raw, and Will had to snip it with scissors to get it off.  Hannibal hissed, pulling away from him. Will cupped his face in his hands. Those deep amber eyes stared back at him, soft and inquisitive.  

 “Good boy,” he said with all the sincerity he could muster.  “Now let’s get you cleaned up.”

When Hannibal stepped under the spray, he audibly sighed. 

Will chuckled as he reached for the shampoo bottle. He squirted some in his hand and began lathering Hannibal’s hair. 

Once all the dirt was removed from Hannibal’s hair and body, Will wrapped him in a fluffy towel and combed out his matted hair. It had been hastily shorn not too long ago, and now hung in uneven lengths over his forehead. Hannibal hummed softly, not even minding when Will caught a few tangles. 

Will could feel his heart swell as he stood behind him, watching his face ease into a half smile in the mirror, his eyes closed against the drag of the comb. 

“Feeling better Han?” 

Hannibal smiled, and Will blushed at the nickname that seemingly sprang from nowhere. He stood in front of Hannibal and gently pushed him down on the lid of the toilet. 

“Gotta treat your neck now. Hold still for a minute.” 

Will opened the cabinet behind Hannibal and withdrew some salve. He applied it gingerly to Hannibal’s neck. Though tears gathered in Hannibal’s eyes, he never said a word. 

Will’s throat clenched. “You’re so good, Hannibal. Such a good boy. So good for me.” 

Hannibal’s scent bloomed, making Will momentarily woozy. He put the salve away. 

“Time to get dressed,” he said thickly.

Once Hannibal was dressed, he led him into the kitchen.  Hannibal shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to do as Will prepared them a simple dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soup. He placed the food on the table and waited for Hannibal to sit. 

Instead, he dropped to Will’s feet.

Will pressed his lips together, settling a hand in Hannibal’s hair.  “No, Han.  You sit at the table.  Up here, with me.”  He gave him a little pat, and Hannibal looked up at him. 

“Please, Alpha,” Hannibal said with pleading eyes. It was the most he’d said in the time Will had known him, and to hear him address him as such pulled at something primal inside Will. 

He ran his hand over the short hair, softly scratching his scalp.  Hannibal closed his eyes.  “For now,” Will said softly. “But I would like you to sit at the table eventually.” 

After they had eaten, Will took Hannibal into the living room. He settled on the couch and withdrew a small box. 

“This is for you, Hannibal,” he said as he opened the box. Inside was a soft leather collar with a silver charm on the end.  Will fit it around Hannibal’s neck, just above the irritated skin.  The dark leather gleamed against Hannibal’s pale throat, the silver charm catching the light. 

“You don’t have to wear it at home if you don’t want to; it’s just for when we go out,” Will explained.

Hannibal ran his fingers over the fine leather, toying with the silver charm. “Wear it,” he said with a small smile. 

Hannibal settled on his knees beside Will, despite the Alpha’s protesting.  Will was different from any Alpha Hannibal had ever known, and certainly different from his Master. Then, something occurred to him.

He looked up at Will curiously. “Are you...Master?”

Will brushed the silvery strands from Hannibal’s forehead, his hand sliding down to cup his face gently.  “Yes, Hannibal, I am.  But you don’t have to call me that.  You can call me Will.” 

“Master Will,” Hannibal said softly, and Will chuckled. 

“Just Will is fine, Hannibal.”

Amber eyes flashed in understanding.  “Will,” Hannibal whispered as he let his head fall against Will’s leg. “Master.” 

Will’s heart was in his throat at the tender little gesture, and he struggled for words. “Whichever you prefer,” he almost whispered, and Hannibal hummed against him. 

That night, Will led Hannibal to his bed, convincing him to change into his pajamas and climb under the covers. Will could tell Hannibal had never been in his own bed before, and the older Omega looked a little overwhelmed. 

He tucked the covers in tight. “Sleep well Han.  I’ll see you in the morning.” 

Hannibal gave him a quick glance, then stared blankly at the ceiling.  “’Night Master.” 

The next morning, Will went to Hannibal’s room, only to find him missing from his bed.  Panic shot through him until he walked in a little further and found the Omega curled up in the corner, fast asleep. 

Will smiled. “Rise and shine, sleepyhead. Not used to a bed?”

Hannibal blinked sleepily up at him, stretching cutely in the morning sun. “Master,” Hannibal said with a smile.

At breakfast, Hannibal sat at the table. It was not without protest, however, and Will resisted using his Alpha command. 

“I want us to be equals, Hannibal,” he explained. “Like friends.” 

The Omega smiled as he stuffed a forkful of eggs into his mouth.  “Fhrens,” he said around a mouthful of food. 

Will laughed, taking a sip of his tea. “Exactly, Hannibal. And I know you’re not used to that. But it will take time.” 

That night, Will awoke to Hannibal standing over his bed. 

Will fumbled for the lamp, half asleep, and looked up at the disheveled Omega. “What’s the matter Hannibal? Bad dream?”

Hannibal frowned, twisting the end of his pajama top. “My bed,” he said quietly. “It’s big.” 

Will considered.  Sleeping in a bed instead of a cage had to be quite the adjustment.  He slid over and pulled back the covers. “Want to hop in?” 

Hannibal nodded eagerly, wordlessly crawling into Will’s bed and pressing his body against him. 

Will wanted to tell him so much…how warm and soft and beautiful he was, with his hair splayed over the pillow and his striking, angular face dusted in moonlight.  He wanted to press promises into his skin, mark him, telling him how much he loved him already. 

But he couldn’t do any of these things.  Not yet, anyway…but one day he would. 

Over the following days, Hannibal warmed to Will.  It started slowly…little touches and small smiles.  He even started speaking more, and Will thrilled at the progress.  Will had never had an Omega, so he read every article he could get his hands on as to what Hannibal needed emotionally and physically.  Beyond the expected Alpha/Omega relationship, Will knew very little about what would make Hannibal happy. 

But he seemed happy.  He met him at the door when he got home, kissing his cheek softly.  He spent his time bundled up on the couch watching television, or immersed in the books Will had bought him.  Hannibal had proven to be very intelligent, just as Will suspected, and with every passing day Will yearned to know him more. 

Upon arriving home one day, Will noticed Hannibal didn’t greet him.  He wasn’t in the kitchen or the living room, and checking the bathroom turned up nothing.  Finally, he heard it…a soft whimpering sound coming from Hannibal’s bedroom. 

Will found him curled around himself on the floor, a nest of blankets and pillows surrounding him.  Tears streamed down his face and his hair was soaked in sweat.  A pool of slick had drenched his pajama bottoms.  Will dropped to his side, cradling his face in his hands. 

“Han, you’re burning up.  Let’s get you into bed.”  Will went to pick Hannibal up, but he resisted. 

“Stay,” he said breathily. “Stay with me Master.” 

Will’s nostrils flared as he took in Hannibal’s scent.  It was thick and sweet and made him immediately lightheaded. His Alpha instincts roared. Take your Omega. He needs you.

Will shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere Han.  Let me hold you, ok?” 

Will wrapped his arms around Hannibal, settling his nose in his neck.  Hannibal’s mating gland was hot and throbbing, and just Will’s breath across it caused Hannibal to whine pitifully. 

“What’s happening?” His startled eyes sought Will’s, and he doubled over as another cramp folded him in half. 

“You’re going into heat,” Will muttered miserably. “I forgot suppressants. You must’ve been on them before.” 

You’re a bad Alpha.  You failed your Omega, his hindbrain supplied. 

Will winced, his arms tightening around Hannibal. 

“Help me, Master. It hurts.” 

Will stroked his hair. “I know baby. I’m so sorry.” 

Hannibal just groaned, another fresh onslaught of slick soaking his clothes. And Will felt helpless to do anything to help him. 

---

“Why didn’t you tell me you had an Omega, Will?  When did this happen?” 

Alpha Beverly Katz was a college buddy of Will’s and a medical intern specializing in Omega health.  When Will had called her, she was happy to hear from her old friend. 

“For a while now,” Will said tersely.  “So what can I do to help him, Bev?”

Beverly frowned. “What do you mean, ‘what can you do?’  He’s your Omega.  You’re an Alpha. Just take care of him.” 

Will frowned. “We’re not…I mean he’s not there yet,” he said with chagrin. “He’s been through a lot, Bev. I can’t just—“

“I understand,” Beverly said calmly.  “There’s a few things you can do. I’m guessing you don’t have suppressants.” 

Will grimaced. “No, I fucked that up too.” 

On the other end of the call, Beverly smiled. “This is your first Omega, Will. You can’t expect to know everything.” She went quiet for a moment, deep in thought. “I can get you some suppressants.  A large dose might shorten the heat,” she continued.  “Have you scented him at least?” 

Will gasped. “No, but I can do that,” he said excitedly, no longer feeling helpless. “Will that help?” 

“Mm hmm. That will alleviate some of his symptoms.  A cool bath might bring his temperature down, too.”

Will thrilled, finally feeling like he could do something to help Hannibal.  “Thank you Bev.  I won’t forget this.” 

Beverly sighed.  “Too bad you can’t just knot him.”

Will bit his lip. “It wouldn’t be right, Bev. Not right now.” 

“You know what’s best,” Beverly said. “I’ll get you those suppressants.” 

Will ended the call, feeling a little better about everything.  Then he turned his attention to Hannibal. 

He’d allowed Will to move him to the couch where he huddled under a pile of blankets.  His hair stuck to his forehead, and his eyes were hazy.

Hannibal’s scent was everywhere, making it difficult for Will to keep his mind on helping him. 

You could help him, his hindbrain supplied. Give him your knot. He’s such a good Omega.

Will silenced the voices, easing Hannibal to a sitting position. 

“I’m going to scent you, Han.  It’ll help. Let me see your neck.” 

Hannibal eased into Will’s lap, his erection pressing into him.  Will took a breath, overwhelmed by the feel of him against him, the way Hannibal’s scent flooded his senses.

His hands fell to his hips, gripping tightly.  Hannibal whined, grinding softly, and Will bared Hannibal’s neck to his. 

He rubbed his mating gland against Hannibal’s heated skin, purrs and whimpers spilling from Hannibal’s mouth.  He had his head thrown back, eyes closed as he followed his body’s natural rhythm.  Will’s teeth were clenched, finally breathing in his scent as he felt himself harden against Hannibal. 

“Master,” Hannibal said breathlessly as he rode him.  “Please.” 

Will’s hands eased around to squeeze Hannibal’s ass, and Hannibal grunted into his neck.  “Take what you need, sweetheart,” he said against Hannibal’s feverish skin.  “We’ll get through this together.”

Hannibal increased his pace, his breath stuttering as he finally found his release. He sagged against Will as Will kissed his hair. 

Hannibal was visibly better, and Will left him momentarily to check the door.  There at the threshold was the little bag of suppressants Beverly had left him, along with a note.

Will returned to the couch, handing Hannibal a glass of water and a double dose of the suppressants, just as the little note instructed.  “Take this medicine, Hannibal.  Hopefully it will help some.” 

Hannibal was still somewhat sated from rutting against Will, and was happy to oblige.  Will eased down on the couch, pulling Hannibal’s head in his lap. He closed his eyes, a soft smile on his face. 

Mine, his hindbrain whispered, and for once Will didn’t deny it. 

Hannibal’s heat broke three days later, and with it brought a renewed sense of clarity.  He rolled over in his nest, finding Will there among the blankets and pillows.

“Will,” Hannibal whispered as he traced the man’s profile with his finger.  He could scarcely believe how lucky he was. He had a new home and a wonderful Master to take care of him.

Hannibal nudged the sleeping Alpha. “Rise and shine sleepyhead.” 

Will blinked awake, moving to his side to meet Hannibal where he lay looking at him.  He smiled. 

“Hey Han.”  He tucked a blond strand behind Hannibal’s ear.  “How do you feel?” 

“Hungry,” Hannibal said, scrunching his nose. “But a lot better. Thank you for taking care of me.” 

Will bit back tears. “Always,” he said as he pressed a small kiss to Hannibal’s forehead. 

The feel of his skin against his lips was intoxicating, and when he pulled away Hannibal was stealing little glances at his mouth. 

Before he could talk himself out of it, Will kissed him.  Slowly, Hannibal moved his lips against his. His tongue snuck out, parting the seam of his mouth and Will growled low in his throat.  He wrapped his arms around Hannibal’s waist, pulling him closer, and the Omega leaned into the kiss. 

“I’ve wanted to do that for so long,” Will panted over his skin.  “Wanted you for so long, my Omega.” 

Hannibal whined, fingers slipping from Will’s face to trail down his chest, toying with the buttons on his shirt.  “Will you…claim me?”  He pressed another kiss into Will’s plush mouth.  “I never want another Master.  Only you…only Will.”  Hannibal was peppering his face with kisses as he slid against him.  “Master Will.” 

Will lowered his mouth to Hannibal’s mating gland, mouthing him there, reveling in his wonderful scent.  “Yes, Omega,” he breathed against the sensitive skin.  He let his teeth drag over it and felt Hannibal shiver.  “You are mine and I am yours.” 

Will picked Hannibal up and carried him to his bedroom where he placed him among the sheets. 

Hannibal looked up at him, eyes wide with lust.  “Show me, Alpha.  Show me that I’m yours.” 

A low rumble bubbled from Will’s chest as he stared down at the blond Omega.  “Mine,” he growled, as he palmed himself through his clothes. “No one else’s.” 

Hannibal pulled Will down on top of him, the Alpha caging him with his arms. “Never anyone else’s,” he murmured, pressing his lips to Will’s mating gland. 

They made short work of their clothes, reveling in the press of their bodies, gasping at the delicious friction as their cocks rubbed against each other. 

“Please Alpha,” Hannibal said as he worked his hips up to meet Will’s.  Will took Hannibal’s legs and hooked them over his shoulders, his thighs drenched with slick.  Will turned his head to lick at it, and his eyes fluttered closed. 

“You’re delicious, Han,” Will said as he dipped his fingers into Hannibal’s opening.  “So wet for me, my good Omega.  So ready for my cock.” 

“Yes,” Hannibal keened.  “Give it to me Alpha.  Give me your knot.” 

Will fingered Hannibal’s slick opening, pressing into him with two and finally three fingers.  Hannibal writhed and gasped as if he had never been touched this way, a pretty flush on his chest and his cock leaking steadily. 

“I could get you off like this, couldn’t I Omega?”  Will twisted his wrist, hooking his fingers inside and causing Hannibal to buck into his hands.  “Want to come on my fingers, Hannibal?”  He wrapped his other hand around Hannibal’s cock, stroking steadily from the base to the head with gentle but steady pressure. 

Hannibal was breathing heavily, so far gone he could barely speak.  He shook his head furiously.  “Want you inside me, Alpha.  Let me have your knot.” 

Will growled, pulling Hannibal down the bed and lifting his hips higher.  He loomed over him, sweat-damp strands hanging in Hannibal’s face.  He probed Hannibal’s entrance with the head of his cock, testing him. 

“Yes! Yes there,” Hannibal panted.  “Take me Alpha.  Please.” 

Will worked his way inside him, his cock stretching Hannibal’s tight heat and taking the Omega’s breath.  When he was finally seated he paused, giving Hannibal time to adjust before moving.  Hannibal pressed into his lower back with his heels, spurring him on, and Will fucked into Hannibal slowly at first, feeling the fire in his belly rise, threatening to consume him. 

Mine, mine, mine, his hindbrain chanted, and his strokes became harder and less finessed.  He wrapped a slick-soaked hand around Hannibal’s cock, working him in time with his body. 

Hannibal was deliciously tight and hot around him, and his lithe body was gripping him fiercely as he rode out his first orgasm, coming messily between them. 

“You’re so beautiful Hannibal…so beautiful,” Will stuttered out between strokes.  He was buried so deep into Hannibal and so close to his own release that he could feel his knot inflate, nudging at Hannibal’s entrance. 

Will mouthed Hannibal’s mating gland, teeth testing the sensitive skin there.  Hannibal mewled, cock already hardening again after his first orgasm. 

“Are you ready for my knot Omega?” Will murmured into his neck.  “Are you ready for me to claim you?” 

Hannibal moaned, trying in vain to meet Will’s punishing pace.  “Yes, Alpha.  Give it to me,” he choked out.  “Mark me.  Make me yours.” 

That was all it took.  Will’s knot breached Hannibal’s hole, and the Omega paled and momentarily cried out as a firestorm of pleasure raced through his veins.  The knot inflated, locking them together, and with his own cry of passion Will found his release as ropes of come filled Hannibal completely. 

“Feels so good, Master,” Hannibal gasped, “you deep inside me.” 

Will licked Hannibal’s neck, teeth flashing momentarily before he bit down on the swollen mating gland. 

Hannibal cried out, his hole tightening around Will’s knot and milking even more come from the Alpha.  Will tasted iron mixed with the intoxicating taste of Hannibal’s natural scent, and felt Hannibal come again, painting the skin between them.

He pulled back, admiring his work.  The little ring of teeth marks would fade to silver, and the world would know Hannibal was his. 

He collapsed onto Hannibal, vaguely aware he was probably smothering him, but he didn’t care.  He covered his face in kisses.  “I love you, Hannibal,” he said as they lay locked together. 

Amber eyes flashed up at him.  “I love you too, Master.”  Unabashed adoration colored his gaze, and he tightened his legs around Will.  “And now I’m yours forever.” 

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