Archive of Our Own ^beta

The storm started before Will reached school.

He woke up with a itch in his spine, something wasn't right. Maybe it was the extra bright light bursting through the windows. Maybe it was the slight coat of sweat that covered him from the summer heat outside. Either way, he wasn't happy.

To make matter worse, he was having a bad food day. Everything in the fridge and cupboards looked puke-inducing. His clothes scratched him, his socks didn't feel right, he was hyperaware of his hair touching his nape, his stomach pained. It was miserable.

As he approached the gates, noise was thrown at him. Under no circumstance, Will thought, should you be laughing that loudly at seven in the morning. There was no reason. It only irked him further.

The storm grew with the day. Wind whirled faster, objects began lifting, a high pitched whine sounded.

Every laugh, every comment, every noise, every look buried deep into his skin and formed a monster. That monster wanted to break out and scream.

By lunch, the beast had conjured its strength. The bustling hallway twisted and snapped the final nerve. One older student was shoved into him by a friend, laughing at what was done. The student immediately apologised about bumping him, but Will barely registered the words. His mind shut down.

His breathing sped up, his hands tangled into his hair. His legs gave out on him and backed himself into the wall next to a locker. The poor student was speechless, his friends stopped laughing.

The beast was awakened and forced the walls into him. It clawed its way out of his body with agonising aggression.

Everyone was staring at him, eyes judging. It only amplified his distress.

The boy who had accidentally caused this ran into a classroom.

"Sir, I bumped into this kid and he started freaking out. It's like a panic attack."

Hannibal stood from his desk, hurriedly jogging over to the commotion. The boy curled into himself, hands covering his ears and eyes pressed into his knees as his nails dug into his scalp. His years at medical school had taught him that this wasn't a panic attack, it was an autistic meltdown.

He needed to clear the hall immediately. Hannibal stood tall and raised his voice, "Everyone in class this instant. There is nothing here that should be drawing your attention. All of you gone, now."

Students cowered under his harsh gaze and sped off to their respected classes. Now he could focus.

The teacher knelt next to the teenager, lowering his voice to a hushed whisper, "It's alright now. Everyone's gone."

The words didn't seem to reach the kid. With regret, Hannibal laid a hand on the child's knee. He instantly flinched, a distressed cry falling from his bitten lips. Hannibal retreated.

"Alright, I'm sorry. I won't touch you. Can you tell me what I can do to help?"

Will pulled in sobs before gasping out, "Too much."

Hannibal figured such and threw in an offer. "Would you like to come to my office? I can make it quiet and dark there."

The teen nodded and stood on shaky legs like a newborn deer. They walked across to the classroom. Hannibal thanked the lucky stars that he didn't have a class this period. The teen settled on a chair while Hannibal closed all the blinds and closed the door.

Will was still sobbing, hands working at the skin on his hand to the point of skin peeling.

Hannibal took hold of his hands, trying to ignore the distressed cry Will let out. "I am sorry but I cannot allow you to hurt yourself."

He cried harder and rocked in the blue plastic chair. Hannibal simply watched the distraught child.

He didn't know anything about the kid, who he was, what year he was in. Hell, he wasn't aware of any neurodivergent students in the school.

Slowly, his breathing evened out and the pricks stopped on his skin. He could finally relax. Will sunk on to the table and sighed. Suddenly the weight of embarrassment dropped onto him. He just broke down in front of a teacher. Dr Lecter, the one teacher he actually found interesting, had seem him have an attack. Apparently the educator sensed this.

"It's alright, there's nothing to be ashamed of." A large hand rubbed at his spine. It only brought on another wave of tears. "Okay, you're okay." Hannibal comforted. "Would you like a hug?"

Will nodded sadly and launched into the mans open arms. He imaged that this was what fatherly love felt like.

After several minutes, Will collected himself and pulled away. "Sorry about that sir."

Hannibal nodded. "It's alright. Was that a meltdown?"

"yeah, I'm autistic."

"Well," The teacher started, "if you ever feel overwhelmed like that again, come over to my room and I'll help the best I can before it gets that bad."

"Thank you so much." Will willed down more tears. Absolutely not.

"What's your name? I don't think I've seen you in any of my year 12 lessons."

"Will Graham, I'm year 10."

"I see, maybe I'll see you in psychology in two years time then." The mans smile filled Will with warmth.

In his many years of school, no teacher or even student has ever impressed him as much as Hannibal did. the mans presence, passion, and knowledge never failed to impress him. He didn't even want to talk about the mans fatherly jokes and smiles. All he knew was through the school grapevine but Will couldn't wait to take his class when it was time.

Hannibal glanced up at the clock. "Well, you have twenty minutes until next period. If you'd like, you can stay with me until time is up or you can join the lesson you should be in. I'll write you a note."

"I'd like to stay if that's alright." Hannibal nodded.

Ten minutes passed until someone knocked on the door; Miss Bloom. She popped her head in.

"Good afternoon, I was informed of an incident in passing period. I see that's sorted?"

Dr Lecter smiled. "Yes, all is alright. Will is staying with me until next period to relax."

Will blushed from the corner desk he was at. After some teacher gossip, Alana left.

Will left five minutes early to avoid the crowded hallways and not get weird glances. Before he could step out, though, Hannibal called him.

"Will, take these." He handed the teenager ear defenders. "Use these whenever you wish, it'll block out enough noise. I can write you a note excusing you of the no headphone rule."

Will thanked him quietly and took the items with grace.

"Bye doctor Lecter."

"Goodbye, Will." Hannibal turned in his chair and smiled at the desk.