Hannibal (Age Plot)

[will_you_see]

Alcuin woke feeling a little strange, but then he realized that he must have climbed into Hannibal's bed in the middle of the night again. A bit embarrassed, he scooted away from Hannibal's sleeping form before climbing out of the covers. He pushed his hair out of his eyes. It was getting a little too long again, enough so that people would be

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[anamusebouche]

It happened quite often that Alcuin crept into bed with Hannibal. The poor boy was still haunted by nightmares. Hannibal allowed it, even though boys his age should really sleep in their own beds.

"I'm awake," he said and turned around to him. "Did you have a nightmare again?"

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"I... don't really remember," Alcuin admitted. "I think so. I didn't mean to wake you. Would you like me to put on some water for tea?" He was so eager to help, to make himself useful. He could make tea, and Hannibal was even starting to teach him a little cooking, which Alcuin was really very happy about.

[anamusebouche]

Alcuin was always eager to help and Hannibal allowed it. "All right. Do you think you can make some breakfast? I'll be down in half an hour."

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Alcuin's face lit, and for a moment he actually looked like a child, which was somewhat uncharacteristic for him these days.

"I can," he said confidently. "Can I use the stove? I'll be really careful. But I can do eggs, and even heat some sausage if you have some made already."

[anamusebouche]

"That's all right," Hannibal said, quietly, reassuringly. "You are never obligated to talk of anything here, you know that." He put a hand on the boy's arm, then turned back to his breakfast.

"What do you want to do today? I have the day off - we can do whatever you'd like to do."

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"Really? I can pick?" Alcuin considered this for a moment, wanting to choose something that was both what he would enjoy but also that Hannibal would approve of. "How about the science museum?" he suggested. There were a lot of hands-on, fun exhibits with simple explanations of scientific concepts designed with kids in mind. "And maybe the park near there, the one where everyone takes their dogs." He liked dogs, but he'd never had one.

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"I'd love to take you there," Hannibal said. "There's an exhibit on space and time, I believe. It'll be very interesting. And we can have lunch in the park."

Life could be so simple these days. It was all superficial, of course. The young boy was severly traumatized and nightmares and dark days lurked around every corner. But sometimes they could just pretend there was nothing wrong and be cheerful for cheer's sake.

It was nurtured, of course, Alcuin's closeness and his trust in the doctor. Hannibal wanted what was best for Alcuin and he knew that he was best for him.

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"That sounds so nice. Thank you, Hannibal. Oh, shall I do the dishes?" It seems as if they had both finished their breakfast.