WIP WEEK Day Seven: Your Previously Unpublished WIP

I have a lot of these, but I really enjoy this one so I decided to not throw out another a/b/o and give a peek at the yet untitled Familiar Hannibal AU. 

A life of a familiar was not a very fulfilling one if you still had not found your magic user at one hundred and twelve.  

Hannibal’s residual magic had after the first hundred years bled out of him in dark and murderous tendencies until to kill felt like a deep breath. He didn’t expect to ever find his other half.

Which was why when he found young Abigail it was such a surprise.

Hannibal had just left the grocer that afternoon when a peculiar feeling overcame his senses and dragged him down several streets to a small park.

A small child who could not have been more than a year at best was playing with a toy while a man who he presumed was her father looked at her in fear.

Hannibal had to stop himself from shifting to take a seat beside his witch’s father. “Lovely day for a walk.”

His witch looked up at his voice and her baby babble made his magic sing.

“How old is she?”

A sigh from the father as he pushed up his glasses. “She’s turning one in April.”

“She’s rather small for nine months.”

Hannibal knew they couldn’t communicate much but he attempted to send a thin psionic message.

‘Hello’

She waved and Hannibal was enchanted. He would kill anyone who even thought to do her harm even the man beside him.

“She’s—-it’s been tough.”

Hannibal took in the man’s appearance: haggard clothing, tired eyes, and pale skin.

“Oh, you’ve attempted ciphering.”

The wide eyed stare was comical as was his sudden jump up to run from him. Hannibal used magic to make the man fall back to the bench. He took off his suit coat and unbuttoned his sleeve before rolling it to show his forearm.

There was a very ornate pattern there and also on his other arm, swirls that resembled a stag with red eyes. He had always assumed that meant his magic user was a animus, which she very well still could be.

An immense relief came over the man’s face and Hannibal let his hold drop. “I thought—“

Hannibal fixed his sleeve. “That I was going to take her from you? Has she been targeted?”

“No,” the father sighed, “Not since I had her registered.”

Hannibal gestured to the stroller.

“May I?”

“Yes.”

He pulled the stroller closer and took her into his arms. They both visibly shook and she grabbed his cheeks just as her tiny mouth curved into a smile.

“Hello Abigail.”

“Hi Hanbl.”

“Oh.”

Hannibal looked at the father, who looked more sad than before.

“Does she conjure at home?”

He nodded. “Since three months old. Her mother couldn’t take it anymore and wanted to have her put in one of those…places.”

Hannibal’s lip curled.

“You were right to take Abigail from someone with that mentality.”

“She wasn’t—“

Hannibal moved his witch into the crook of his arm and held out his hand to her father.

“Hannibal Lecter.”

The touch of their hands was oddly warm and Hannibal held back a purr.

“Will Graham.”

Hannibal turned his palm over and read the lines. “You have magic in your blood. I can feel it.”

“No, I’m not…active.”

He looked up. “Not Active? You’re Dulled?”

Will took his hand away, his blush very becoming as he pushed up the glasses that hung on off his nose.

“Yeah. The only son of Marie and Logan Graham is Dulled.”

Hannibal had heard of neither.

“You do not feel dull. Perhaps you’re destined for another path.”

Will laughed. “Sure. I…this isn’t normal. You finding us, Abby manifesting and conjuring.”

Hannibal looked down at Abigail who had since fallen asleep. “Nor is it abnormal as magic takes many twists and turns. I have seen many things in the last one hundred years. This is nothing.”

“Wow. You…you’re sure that she’s your—“

Hannibal lifted Abigail’s sleeve and smiled. “Yes. Do not worry, Will. This is a good thing for all of us. You no longer have to cause pain to your aura by ciphering while Abigail and I—“

“I…can I still see her?”

Hannibal looked at him curiously.

“Pardon?”

He saw tears in the Dulled’s eyes.

“Normally when a witch finds their familiar they go off for the five year training and I—“

“Well of course this is different. No need to pain yourself with thoughts I’m taking her from you.”

Will let out a long breath.

“Thank God, I—“

A older couple seemed to stare as they passed by and Hannibal wanted to growl. He glared until they were gone and his nails grew till Will touched his arm.

“Calm down. It’s ok.”

Hannibal closed his eyes.

“I apologize. I feel very protective over you both.”

“That’s good but save the murder for nightfall ok?”

He opened his eyes and saw Will looked amused but wondered just how much he’d picked up on with his own magic or perhaps just luck.

“Yes, Father Will.”

Will blushed and moved away, his laugh uncomfortable. “Yeah just Will is ok. About the whole training thing…”

“I would of course invite you into my home but if it makes you more comfortable to just have me come to you, I am amendable.”

Will blinked. “Um…maybe we can come by for dinner first?”

Hannibal’s nostrils flared as he took in Will’s nervous scent.

“Yes. I believe that sounds like a splendid idea.”

The radiance that overtook Will’s features was a sight to behold. Hannibal wanted to see him that way always.

“Do you mind if I sit with the two of you a bit? It’s been a very long wait to feel completed.”

Abigail’s magic sparked and he put his hands on her tiny ones, conjuring a pink puffed pony that made her giggle. His inner core buzzed and he made the horse float, which had his witch clap her hands excitedly.

“Yeah that’s fine with me.”

They shared a smile and Hannibal resisted the urge to connect skin again, the feeling of Will’s suppressed magic quite tasty though he’d only had a few seconds.

“Thank you, Will.”

Will moved to stand. “I’ll leave you be, I mean—“

Hannibal pulled him back down to the park bench and the touch made him lick his lips. Will’s eyes widened and cheeks flushed.

“I do believe we‘d both prefer you to stay.”

“Okay,” Will said softly, his voice thickened.

The three of them spent the remainder of the afternoon in the park, hardly conscious of bystanders though there were a few. Hannibal pushed several that seemed interested in them away with barely a flick of his magic though Abigail latched on eagerly to help by the time the sun began to set.

“I do believe it’s been almost four hours,” Hannibal purred, “Nearly time for dinner.”

Abigail was now sound asleep in the crook of his arm, her comfort with him  quite soothing and he did not wish to let her go.

Will pulled out his phone and gasped.

“Oh wow, I didn’t realize how long it’s been. Did you still want us for dinner?”

Hannibal nodded. “Unless you have plans?”

Will laughed. “A single father of a hypermagic baby? No I don’t have plans. I would say we could just follow you home but you have to make dinner so—“

Hannibal reached out and touched his forearm. “I could take us there now, if you’re comfortable with magic travel.”

Will’s throat worked as he nodded.

“All my life really until I left home. I just don’t want to be in your way.”

“Never.”

He tightened his hold on Will’s arm and made the three of them disappear only to reappear in his home. Abigail slept through the process and Will barely seemed affected.

“Wow this is…”

“Home,” Hannibal finished, conjuring a small baby bed for Abigail along with a thin blanket, “Please make yourself comfortable while I work on the meal. Are you thirsty?”

Will eyed him oddly and his blush was endearing. “Yeah, I’m pretty thirsty. Must be the travel.”

Hannibal smiled. “Wine?”

“Sounds good,” Will looked at Abigail, “That’s nice, the bed.”

“I do not have much experience with babies but I have seen them in different places. Do not worry that she’ll fall, it’s very secure.”

He walked to the liquor cabinet, conscious of Will’s eyes as he moved and did not want to magic the feeling away.

“You don’t use magic to do everything?”

“I prefer to make meals by hand as well as pour. We were blessed with power but do not need to be dependent on it.”

“A lot of magic users and familiars don’t feel that way.”

Hannibal walked back to the living area and handed Will his wineglass.

“I am not like most familiars.”

Will smiled. “No, you don’t seem like any I’ve met.”