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Will sat outside, shaking, the rain having already come to make the wait worse in the cold.
He did not want to be here.
There was a howl in the distance that startled him, but he hugged himself and wished he could just run.
But he knew he couldn't.
This was why he'd been born.
Another rush of wind came, making him whimper, and as he sat there waiting, he thought maybe he'd die before the monster came.
He wasn't all that much of a feast - muscled but thin - and while he was just shy of twenty-one like all the feasts had been he wasn't like the others.
All of the parents plumped up their feasts - feeding them much and giving them everything - but not his father. Every person in town was given coin to have a child, more for several, and while Will's mother had run, she'd left him home knowing he was nothing.
And he'd gone through most of his life knowing it was true.
He yearned for affection, connecting to stray dogs and cats in the neighborhood for what little he could, and while he was sure he may have found someone to lay with no one dared even look at him.
He was meat for the beast.
Nothing more.
The rain stopped and Will laid down, shivering, and just as he thought he'd freeze to death warmth hit him hard.
Fur at his back made him want to be closer, shaking, and yet he was terrified to see his killer's face. So, he closed his eyes and said, "I hope you eat well."
A growl came but no words, he was sure the monster had none, and he fell to darkness only to wake up in a bed.
Will froze.
The room was ornate, shining and golden with fancy decorations about, and the plush at his back made him sit up in confusion.
How had he gotten here?
Was this what came after?
Had he died and gone to----
The door opened and a gentleman in silk came inside with a tray, his warm smile making Will blush. "I.....am not sure how I came to be here."
He set the tray down and looked at Will, his soft smile making Will realize he was wearing clothes not his own - a white sleep dress with an open collar - and no underthings.
"I have killed thousands of sacrifices in Wolf Trap since before the town itself had that name, their meat tasting just as delectable every year until last night."
Will froze. "Y...."
The man's eyes turned black as he smiled again, razor sharp teeth making Will's heart beat so fast he grew lightheaded. "Yes, I am the Beast, and I do believe I've eaten my fill. What is your name?"
Tears stung his eyes. "I don't understand why...."
"The people here see me as a rich man, most probably forget my face when I pass, and I lie in wait every harvest because eating throughout the year is time consuming and I needn't do it but...." he eyed Will, "I bit you last night and lost my stomach. That has never happened before. My name is Hannibal. Tell me your name."
"W....ill," he said, sniffling, "What....what will you do with me? Send me home? They....they'll think...."
Hannibal suddenly rushed, grabbing Will's face painfully in his hands, and growled. "Send you home? Will, you ARE home. You are a wonder, and I....I wish to court you. I....I've bitten you now, it will take several weeks but with more time and biting I can change you. I....."
Will smiled. "You want to keep me?"
The monster frowned. "You were born for me, Will, as were the others and I've waited for so long. Whatever else would I do with you?"
Will was shaking, unable to keep his composure, and burst into tears as the monster took him into his arms.
"I've been so alone I....I've been nothing and you...."
Hannibal licked his cheek and Will shivered, clutching him harder as he whispered, "Tell me everything. Every person who's wronged you. I want to know them all, and....give you their heads for our mating day."
Will smiled as he lifted his head, not at all scared as he whispered, "Ok."