____

Norman Rockwell
1941
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"WAIT, Alice? The Alice from the cereals section and pottery class?" He grinned pointing to her. "No way, Colin's your brother?"

She was frozen. Couldn't even look at Hannibal, and neither dared to. Didn't want to imagine his expression.

"So Nadira's the cousin you talked about..." She mumbled still in shock.

"Wait, you two know each other?" Colin exchanged glances between them both.

"Yeah, we bumped into each other a few times." He smiled charmingly locking glances with her "What a small world, isn't it?"

"Yeah..." she nodded still not believing the current situation.

"Well, couldn't be happier for Nadira now, a good boyfriend from a good family. We should celebrate." He said friendly. "Lunch at my house!"

"Yeah!!" Nadira standed her hands in the air and high-fived her cousin.

"Oh, I don't know..." Alice tried to escape the awkward situation.

"That's a great idea." Hannibal suddenly surprised her. She looked at him, he had a calm expression, but his eyes...there was a terrifying shimmer about them. "You and Colin have a lot to talk about, you shouldn't waste any time."

A lot to talk about. Indeed a lot. How would she be able to explain everything? How would she even be able to have lunch with Hannibal staring at Taye that way? Or with Colin throwing his passive-aggressive attacks at her boyfriend all the time? Alice wanted to disappear at that moment, bury herself in the ground.

For a small moment, she could almost listen to Bree's ghost, who was long gone but never forgotten "you're fucked."

▫️

Nadira tried to chat with Alice, maybe to cheer up the awkward aesthetic. Colin was impassive sitting by her side and looking at his sister by Hannibal's side. Taye had a smile on his face but tried his best not to annoy Hannibal, who sometimes eye-cornered him with a mortal glance. In addition to his jealousy, he discovered that Taye was also a vegan. Another reason in his list to despise him.

"Colin told me you are an artist, is that true?" Nadira asked her boyfriend's sister as she cut the omelet into her dish. "I've always liked to draw as a kid, but never had a talent for it." She chuckled.

"I wouldn't say I'm so talented." Alice tilted her head.

"Stop being so humble Alice, you rock when it comes to paintings." Colin pointed to her. "When I was young, we went to this amusement park, and in just two days she painted it exactly how it was, with also me and Bree walking in the picture."

"That sounds amazing." Nadira lifted her eyebrows impressed.

"Your favorite painting..." Alice smiled sweetly at her brother "So, Colin told me you're a journalism student. That's really cool. Is it hard to keep up?" She changed the subject while smiling at the food. "Wow Taye, this omelet is divine!"

Taye, who was silent until now, grinned brightly, grateful to hear such a compliment. "Thanks, glad you liked it." They stared at each other for a solid, adorable second, and something in his stance was soft, and tender, which made Alice feel her cheeks burn.

Hannibal wanted to rip his eyes off his face and boil them into a soup.

"Yes, it is pretty busy, but I love every second of it." Nadira said full of hope. "I dream of studying journalism since I was very young."

"She has always been an avid and curious questioner." Taye smiled at his cousin. "She'd ask things that I barely knew how to answer sometimes. Always after the truth."

"Yeah, I noticed that." Colin chuckled, Nadira pushed him lightly with her shoulder. Alice lowered her eyes at them, he seemed so happy, that made her thrill.

As she talked with Nadira she noticed how incredible that girl was. Won many articles awards when still in high school, joined projects in international lands, and recently joined college with an exceptional score on her SAT. She was stubborn and determined, but incredibly kind and polite. Her stiff, serious posture would always disappear with Colin's goofy mood and dumb jokes, or with Taye's mocks and teases.

But what made Alice speechless was how they met each other.

"I lost my backpack." Colin revealed. "Well, actually I was robbed on the first day on my way."

"Yeah, I remember you told me that." Alice shaked her head almost laughing. "You need to be more careful, Colin"

"I knoooow." He rolled his eyes, and Alice chuckled. "Anyway, I needed a pen to sign my presence on the class list. There were few people in the auditorium, I didn't know anyone, so I just asked the person in the row behind for a pen."

Alice lost her breath for a moment. Hannibal glanced at his lover, noticing her stance change, the lips curve, strongly holding her hands above her lap.

"I was very focused on the lecture so I just threw it at him." Nadira covered her mouth not to laugh.

"But I caught it!" He celebrated. "Then when I was about to sign the list, I couldn't find my name."

"So he poked my hand, and asked which class that was."

"Conclusion: I was in the wrong class." Alice burst laughing, Taye as well, and Hannibal gave a half smile. "But I didn't throw away my opportunity and asked for her number. I mean, have you seen her?" He pointed to his girlfriend.

"Colin!" She blushed embarrassed.

"But she didn't give it to me. Took some weeks though, entering the wrong class only to try to break those walls and make her talk to me, but I achieved my goal"

"Reminds me of someone I know." Hannibal smirked, cutting with diligence the food in his dish. Alice chuckled. Colin and his sister were very similar in that aspect, both energetic people determined to take someone's heart.

"That's adorable." Taye commented to the two. "Nadira's really shy, so I was surprised when she told me the news." He pondered. "You must've had a hard time."

"Oh, Yeah." Colin chortled. "But I did it. I mean...isn't it funny to think that like... I don't know." He looked at the girl with shiny dark eyes. "If I didn't ask for that pen we'd have never even talked to each other."

Alice felt the walls pressure her, the air become heavier. Flashes in her mind troubled her to think straight, she could barely stand right in that seat. She couldn't stare at Nadira and Colin without remembering the past, without remembering...Will. "I'm sorry Taye, can I use your bathroom?" She suddenly asked. Hannibal noticed she didn't feel well.

"Of course, it's the second door in the hallway." He informed her promptly.

"Thank you."

"Lissy." Hannibal touched her hand, his expression worried, soft, she almost melted. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I...I'll just go there and be back soon, don't worry." She tapped his hand and let it go, hurrying to disappear from the concerned glances.

Once Alice locked herself into the bathroom and let the tears fall as she stared at her pathetic reflection in the mirror, Hannibal suffered suspicious glances from the young couple.

"So, Mr.Lecter, what do you work in?" Taye tried to be nice. Hannibal hated his friendly tone.

"I'm a psychiatrist." He replied with pure manners.

"Wow, med school huh." Taye nodded. "You must listen to a lot of people."

"Well, I try my best."

"What's the weirdest story you've ever heard?"

"I am not allowed to talk about my patients."

An embarrassing silence took over the dining table. Taye lifted his hands in a defensive act and grinned. "Oh, right... doctor's code isn't it? Sorry."

But that's not what bothered him most, it was the burning eyes in his direction. Familiar, young eyes.

Colin.

"Alice didn't tell me she was living with you." The young man commented.

"I believe she didn't wish to bother your studies." Hannibal made up an excuse.

"Don't you think that's too soon? I mean, moving in and all." Colin could barely hide how much he was against that idea.

"We have known each other for more than a year. Also, it was a mutual decision." Hannibal wouldn't lose his patience with that boy. "If you're worried about your sister, I suggest you: don't. I love Alice, and I care for her."

His eyes lingered on Nadira squeezing the boy's hand beneath the table, in an attempt to calm him.

"I'm sure you do. I barely know you both and can see it." The girl gave a smile showing her teeth. "And I'm sure Colin knows that and respects his sister's decision, isn't it, Colin?"

He made a face not even trying to be discrete about how much he was against the union but didn't complain. "Yeah." He replied without much motivation.

"Speaking of Alice..." Taye glanced at the woman who arrived at the dining room again, her face recently washed trying to hide what she did in the bathroom.

"Speaking behind my back, huh?" She joked, sitting by Hannibal's side.

"Change the subject, quick!" Taye played along and the table laughed.

Between parallel conversations, Hannibal whispered in her ear "Are you okay?"

She gave a weak smile towards him, holding his hand on his lap with care. "Yeah, I am..." she whispered back. "I'm better now."

"Oh, Alice." Taye suddenly said. "The teacher has been asking for you, what happened? You stopped going to pottery class."

Her lips parted in surprise. In an involuntary act, glanced quickly at Hannibal, feeling nervous. And Taye noticed something slightly odd in that.

"Did she? I...um...I'm not going anymore." She mumbled.

"What? Why not?" Taye asked finding it strange. "You had so much potential, even the teacher said that!"

"Oh I...just want to focus on my paintings for now." She faked an excuse and smiled.

"That's too bad, lost my pottery partner." Taye joked winking. "But we can still discover new vegan restaurants together." He pointed charmingly.

"Of course!" She said excitedly. Hannibal squeezed her hand. The smile faded. "I mean, maybe... someday..."

Just like Taye, Nadira noticed a small pattern in her answers. But she was even more attentive than her cousin, she didn't focus on just Alice's nervousness. She noticed Hannibal. She noticed how he'd maintain serious, but also casual. How his eyes would avoid Taye's figure, almost in a way to keep himself in control. How the hazel in them had a contained fire.

And when he met her gaze, she felt chills across her spine from how haunting it was, almost as if he read her thoughts completely. Nadira quickly avoided and joined a conversation with Colin in order to distract herself.

Alice's eyes lingered on Taye's large hands, adorned with the same usual golden ring he wore. "That's so pretty" She indicated to the accessory. Taye smiled.

"Thank you. It belonged to my mother. I use it as a memento to carry her with me." He said softly adjusting the piece around his finger."I know it's silly, but..."

"No, not at all." Alice said at once. Reminding herself of her red shoes. "It's actually very sweet." The man grinned in response, grateful for her attitude."Oh, right!" She snapped her fingers. "Taye, you should join us at our dinner tomorrow night!" Alice invited him without Hannibal's permission.

He smiled, tried to avoid Hannibal's slightly surprised yet disapproving expression, and instead, said "I don't know Alice..."

"Please join us, after all, you and Nadira are family now." She said kindly, Nadira felt immediately comforted and welcomed. She loved Alice and hit off with her very well, it was great that she was Colin's sister, couldn't have asked for a better one.

"Well, when you put it that way, I can't refuse." He smirked, adoring the way she smiled at him and how she knew exactly what to say.

Hannibal hated every second of that interaction. Hated how Taye hit off well with Alice. Hated how Colin didn't annoy himself with no other man next to his sister or flirting with her, except him. Hated how the young Nadira stared at him.

He hated the Caddel family and hated even more how Alice loved them. Life was being so good by being just them two, why did Colin have to mess it up now? That boy should've stayed at Stanford. No, better, he should've sent him to the other side of the planet. Maybe that way he wouldn't bother anymore.

But he wouldn't show nor tell. Only keep a polite smile on his face. Whatever the reasons were, he couldn't afford to be a rude guest at someone's residence.

▫️

"I know you are upset."

"Upset is a light word."

"Okay, maybe pissed off."

"Very pissed off."

"That's why I didn't tell you! I knew you'd react this way!" Alice retorted, running her hands through her hair.

"What did you expect me to do? To clap? Celebrate that you moved in with that guy?" Colin complained.

They were at a park, and Hannibal was at his office. Nadira stayed with Taye back at their home. And Colin sat by a bench, next to his sister, staring into the cloudy sky with small birds passing by into the cotton above, black dots into the white.

"I know you don't like him."

"Did you just realize that now?"

"But I love him." The words sharpened into his ears. He moved to face his sister, realizing she was being serious, serious as never before, and something in her eyes broke him inside because standing against what she felt was hurting her. "I love him, Colin, with all my heart." Alice spoke softly. "And I love you, my brother. Which is why it is very hard for me to stay between you both like this."

"He doesn't like me either." Colin tried to defend himself, avoiding her painful eyes.

"He never said that. Otherwise, he has always supported and was patient with you." She explained calmly. "Tell me, was there even a single time where you stopped and had a normal conversation with Hannibal?"

"Of course-"

"Without insulting him."

"I...."He ran out of words.

"All I want to say is..."  She took a deep breath. "Just as I treated Nadira nice, just as I met and tried to get to know her, you could've done the same to me." That was like stabbing him in the chest. "I hate to say this, I really do but...it's just not fair."

"Alice, I didn't mean...I..."

"I won't stop seeing Hannibal because you want me to. He is a good man, he cares for and loves me. You know that." She reassured. "And I want him in my life. You like it or not."

He became speechless for a moment. Something in his sister had changed. She was more decided, determined, and ridiculously in love with Hannibal Lecter. He didn't stand a chance against them both. And that was honestly...concerning.

"I don't think he'd be willing to get to know me as Nadira did with you..." He said.

"You'll only know if you try." She pushed him with her shoulder. "Maybe you have much more in common than you think."

"Me? In common with that guy? Ha." Colin rolled his eyes.

"Well, you already have one thing you can relate to."

"And what that is?"

She lifted her arms in the air "Me!" Colin chuckled.

It was true. All she said was true. The situation frustrated Alice, and he knew now that he was hurting her by doing that. Knew that even if he disliked that man if he wished him away from his sister, he was important to her. And he couldn't deny the visible love he had for her. 

Colin Mallory took a deep breath, realizing that there was nothing else he could do besides supporting her. After all, they were just dating, maybe in the future she could see he wasn't worth it... it's not like she would marry Hannibal or anything, right?

"Okay." He said.

"Okay, what?"

"I will..." Colin struggled o say it. "...I'll give him a chance."

Alice opened her mouth in surprise, gasping at the attitude but also relieved, thrilled, jumping onto the boy on the bench and hugging him."Thank you! Thank you!!" She shouted excitedly, Colin couldn't help but smile. "Oh my God, you'll become great friends, I know!"

"Don't exaggerate. I'll only stand his presence, nothing else."

"That's already good enough!" She smiled and the world finally seemed right, lighter, and happy. "That's good enough."

▫️

Her skin tickled in contact with his warm kisses across her shoulders, spreading towards her back, as his veiny hands zipped up the blue one-sleeved flowery dress, as she adjusted the red corset across her waist.

"You said it was a small event" Alice muttered as she watched his hands caressed her shoulders across the mirror. Hannibal adored when she dressed formally or in gala style, especially when he was the one who picked up the outfit, he just couldn't resist her beauty. "Hannibal, I'm talking to you." He returned to reality.

"It is small." He touched his cheek with hers as they both stared at their reflections in the mirror. He was dressed in an elegant dark brown suit, Alice had managed to persuade him not putting a tie, letting one of the shirt's upper buttons released, making him even more charming.

"You hired waiters. And there are more than 30 people in here." She retorted, feeling suffocated for a moment. "Some of them I've never even seen before."

"Well, you saw them now." He spoke but instantly regret his words as she turned around with a mortal gaze. "Don't worry about that, darling."

"The last time we did this I ended up screaming at you." Their first argument, he could remember the fire in her eyes and the frustration in her voice at him. He hated that memory and did not wish for that to repeat again.

"That won't happen now." He kissed softly her pink cheeks. "I assure you that everything will be alright, you'll see."

"I hope so." She sighed, letting his kisses relax her in a therapeutic process.

"Shall we go now?" He whispered softly in her ear, no matter how much time passed, whenever he did that she'd get butterflies inside her stomach.

"Do I have any choice?" She chuckled and intertwined his arm with him, as they both headed to the saloon.

At the other side of the party, Jack Crawford had arrived. His mind is still troubled by Will's ideas and Chilton's theories. He couldn't stop staring at the small aperitives being distributed within the crowd, wondering if the haunting ingredients were indeed what his best agent told him about.

He could observe some familiar faces, such as Alana Bloom and Dr.Chilton, who surprisingly was invited, and more surprisingly agreed to come. With Mozart's dissonance played by a string quartet in the background and well-dressed people of rich society, he approached the acquaintance.

"Prosciutto roses. Heart tartare. Beef roulade... Needless to say, I won't be eating the food." He made a bitter dark joke as he observed the scene.

"Dr. Chilton." Jack greeted the man in a black slim suit supported by a cane.

"Hannibal the Cannibal. That's what they'll call him, you know." The name was ridiculously funny if not tragic.

"Not according to Abel Gideon." Jack insisted on not believing him.

"Gideon's caused me enough trouble today. The fact that he lied to you makes me even more certain he was telling Will Graham the truth." The doctor's eyes lingered on a roast pig's head on the buffet table and suddenly felt disgusted by any meat of some sort.

"Why did you come here tonight if you're so convinced?" Jack questioned, burying his hands in his pockets.

"Darwinism." Chilton lifted his shoulders "I don't want him to think I suspect anything. Keeping my mouth shut on the whole affair." He then spots the villain entering the saloon, his manners polite, measured, and elegantly precisive as a young woman with a bright, beautiful smile standing by his side. "Is that her?"

Jack followed his gaze, spotting the person he sincerely hoped not to be involved in that madness. "Alice Mallory." He muttered.

"I've always wondered why the most gorgeous girls ended up with the bad guys." He chuckled, squinting his eyes to observe the couple better. Lecter had his hand on her back in a discrete yet possessive act to establish his territory, after all, she was charming everyone at that event. "No wonder he and Will Graham are so crazy about her."

"You must be dazzled, but she's not for you Chilton." Jack protectively said. None of those men seemed worthy of Alice in his opinion actually.

"Oh, don't worry, as tempting as it may seem, I wouldn't even dare to." He smirked. "I'd rather stay put."

"Biting your own tongue so Dr. Lecter won't be tempted to?"

"Don't want to be perceived as a threat..." he looked around the saloon to verify if they weren't being watched. "...which is why I shouldn't be standing here, talking to you." And with those words, the doctor quickly walked off, even with a cane he was pretty fast to run away when in fear.

As he stands alone at the saloon, Jack realized he shouldn't waste any more time, walked towards the couple, and with courage gathered inside his chest, greeted them.

Something in Hannibal's smile made the agent shake. But Alice's presence was comforting, and kind, making him a bit more calm, keeping up with the relaxed guest disguise.

"Hi, Jack." Alice said with a smile. She seemed so radiant in that dress, like an angel herself.

"Alice." He nodded.

"Jack, I'm happy you're here." Hannibal greeted him in a charming tone. "In many ways, you are the guest of honor. You saved my life, after all."

But the host knew there was something strange about his guest, his eyes...Jack Crawford was a terrible liar.

"I'm afraid I can't stay. But I'd like to take some food to go."

"Aw no, really?" Alice frowned her eyebrows. "That's too bad."

"I'll have one of the staff bring you something from the kitchen." Hannibal said,

Then, in a surprising gesture, Jack waved to one of the servants who passed by to stop. "No. This is good." Hannibal only observed silently. "Just bring me a container and I'll help myself. From here."

Hannibal nodded to the server who moved off. He and the agent exchanged tense glances at each other. Alice suddenly felt in the middle of the cold war. "Do I have your permission to do
that, Dr. Lecter?" The agent asked in a slightly suggestive tone.

"Why wouldn't you?" Alice tried to understand the situation, still smiling trying to release the tension.

"Do I have your permission?" Jack Crawford didn't take his sight from the doctor, insisting.

The server returned with a Tupperware with a lid. Jack took it in his hands. "Help yourself." Hannibal replied serious, and Alice observed heartbroken his quite upset and reflective expression trying to understand jack's attitude. The agent put food into the Tupperware, as Hannibal, smartly, could spot Dr.Chilton staring with curiosity at the scene. As Jack sealed the container, Hannibal smiled sadly. "Eat it soon or it'll spoil"

"Thank you." Jack said as he held the container in his hands. "Well, good night." He said to Dr.Lecter. "Alice, may you help me?" He showed the container. "Just so I can open the door's car, it's broken so I need to apply some strength with both hands."

"I can help you" Hannibal offered.

"Oh, no, you need to host your party, it'll be quick, Alice can help me, right?" The agent stared at her.

Alice looked back at him confused he could just put the container above the car's ceiling, or accept the hosts' help, why did he need her? Hannibal was silent, his face cold as tone, she wondered what he was thinking about. Jack didn't seem to change his mind, and, still in that awkward situation, decided not to contrary him.

"Sure..." She muttered and looked at Hannibal, who was just as confused as her, and then followed the agent.

Jack opened the door's car normally, with no strength applied, and neither gave her the Tupperware in any of those moments. She was about to say something when he was faster "I know what you're thinking and yes, I lied."

"Why?" Alice furrowed her eyebrows.

The night outside was cold, her body started to shiver as the stars illuminated above. She could still listen to the music and chat inside the manor and wondered what Jack was planning.

"I needed to talk with you. In private." He replied.

"Now?"

"Couldn't wait another day." He crosses his arms but his posture was tense as if he had seen a ghost.

"Okay...what is it...?" She looked at him worried.

"Promise that whatever we speak here, you won't tell anyone about it." He warned. "Not even Hannibal"

"Why?"

"Just promise me, Alice."

Still uneasy to figure out what he planned and why she should keep that confession, Alice Mallory nodded.

"Tell me." She asked anxiously. "What happened, Jack?"

"Abel Gideon." He revealed. She remained silent. "The night he attempted to kill you. Did you see him at Hannibal's house?"

She paralyzed. "Why are you asking me this?"

"It's a yes or no question, Alice. I expect you to answer it." He insisted deadly serious.

"It's about Will, isn't it?" She looked into his eyes and already had her confirmation. "Jack he's been out of himself lately-"

"Did you see Abel Gideon?" He insisted once again. She felt pressured, and couldn't simply escape.

She took a deep breath. "...I did."

Jack's jaw dropped. The night became freezing, and his head spun. She couldn't be involved in that madness. His gun was at his waist, a smooth gesture and he could reach it, now shooting her...he wasn't sure about the next step.

"Why did you lie?" He questioned.

"I am sorry, Jack..."

"Answer me." He said with strong a authority tone, she scared herself with his attitude. "Abel Gideon revealed he saw you leaving Hannibal's house at the same he entered it with Will."

"That's...true." She hesitated. "I saw him at the doorstep. Will behind him. Both with puzzled expressions."

"Why didn't you say this at the time?"

"I was advised not to. I mean, Will's health was only getting worse, I was afraid it could cause him even more damage and trauma."

"Let me guess, Hannibal said that."

Alice stopped, glancing at him offended, shocked by his words. "I can't believe you...Will's stupid theory...you can't be possibly buying it..." she shook her head.

"He did advise you to give a false testimony."

"To protect Will. Hannibal cares for him. Now look at it, Will digging into his traumas and becoming insane with each second. And worse, with people feeding this madness." She pointed at him. "Will brought that criminal into Hannibal's house but he escaped, he barely could catch him since he was busy taking care of Will, who was completely out of his mind. Is that the attitude of a killer to you?" Alice made a pause. Jack became embarrassed to watch her so angry at him. "Hannibal also saved your wife, is that the attitude of a killer?"

"Alice-"

"Hannibal helped me with treatment when in grief, he cares for me, loves me. If Will's theory was true, he'd be a cold-blooded monster who killed my sister. The attitudes don't match once again, do they?" She spoke through her teeth. "If anyone here is a killer, it's Will for what he tried to do. Not the kind man inside that saloon who only had the best intentions and yet is being wrongly accused by you." She pointed back to the house. "I don't want to listen to any of this shit anymore."

"Alice, I am only trying to understand the situation-"

"The situation is very clear to me. You are blaming an innocent man. And I can't stand this injustice, agent Crawford." She suddenly cut the bonds between them. "Please leave."

He looked at her speechless. "What?"

"I don't want someone who offends Hannibal in here. You said you were busy, well, it is your cue to leave now." Alice was unrecognizable. It was as if her love for Hannibal blinded her completely, she was impassive, merciless. "Goodbye."

With those words, Alice didn't even wait for him to leave, just turned her back to him and entered the mansion once again.

▫️

"This house's too fancy." Taye whispered to his cousin "are you sure this is the right place?"

Even with their best outfits none of the three (Taye, Colin, and Nadira) had suits or gala dresses on. People watched them attentively, as outsiders, until a friendly face met them.

"Yeah, yeah it is." Nadira pointed to the elegant man across the room with a polite smile and sinister eyes.

Hannibal spotted them, the unusual trio, and approached them slowly, the chin held high as the champagne glass in his hands. "You have finally arrived. Thank you for coming." He said in a serene tone. "Please, serve yourselves."

"You've got a very nice place here, Hannibal. Thanks for inviting us." Taye said kindly while taking one of the small food portions distributed.

While the host thanked him, Colin's eyes searched the saloon, still unable to distinguish between the strangers and a familiar one. Hannibal on the other way noticed his attitude. "Alice will be here soon, she was catching up with a friend." The cannibal said.

"Oh...thanks." Colin replied, remembering he shouldn't fight with him. "Actually I wanted to talk with you."

"Did you? The man lifted one of his eyebrows mocking.

"Taye, let's grab some drinks" Nadira said, letting them both talk privately.

Once the two left, Colin took a deep breath, he was visibly nervous and displeased to say something, the doctor could sense that.."So?" Hannibal questioned.

"I talked with Alice." The boy made a pause "and...She made me realize that I was a bit...unfair to you."

Hannibal contained his urge to laugh, finally. Took him long enough. "I didn't realize."

"Don't play nice, I'm just doing this for Alice." The boy growled, of course, he wouldn't suddenly change his opinion. "What I mean is...since Alice is happy with you, I'll respect that."

The doctor lifted one of his eyebrows unconvinced. "Declaring peace, Mr.Mallory?"

"Don't call me that and stop being so skeptical. Yeah, it's peace. Gonna take it or not?"

Hannibal chuckled and then charmingly extended his hand toward the boy. He didn't like Colin either, actually, found him an annoying obstacle, but having him by his side was a useful trick card in order to keep Alice by his side. "I've been waiting for this."

"Can't say the same." Colin fiercely shook his hand, looking into that man's haunting eyes. He still felt something odd, fake in him, but there was no use trying to prove it wrong.

"I'll be a good man to your sister."

"You better be. Not just good, the best."

"Of course. Alice only deserves the best." He muttered as a waiter passed by. Hannibal took one of the glasses that he offered and gave it to Colin. "Shall we toast to our...tolerance agreement?"

Colin lifted his shoulders indifferently and touched his glass against his in a smooth, delicate sound declaring peace into that cold war. Well, at least for now.

"Is this real? Am I dreaming?" A sweet voice made them both turn their heads. "My favorite boys getting along, oh my God!" She cheered in little jumps.

"Yeah, it's real, yay." Colin said without any excitement. His eyes lingered at the figure behind her. "Katia!"

"Colin!! My little baby!" The chocolate-haired woman hugged him tight. "You are so grown up! Look at you."

"Katia please!" He chuckled.

"You need to introduce me to your girlfriend!"

"Sure will, she's gonna be here soon, just left for a while."

"Well, then you might wanna excuse me too. "She turned to Alice. "May I use your restroom, mi amiga?"

"Of course." Alice nodded. "It's down that hallway, you see?" She pointed in a certain direction.

"Yes, thank you. I'll be back soon!"

▫️

Katia got lost while walking towards the bathroom. Took a wrong turn into her path and now didn't know where she was. Could smell food. Probably next to the kitchen, opened a door. Some sort of pantry, somewhere filled with industrial fridges and ingredients on shelves.

It was dark, yet she couldn't find the light switch. Just wandered through the space, wondering why the hell that man needed so much food. Maybe he threw parties like those often.

Katia wouldn't lie, she found something weird in Hannibal, especially after what Will Graham said and his weird controlling mannerisms toward her friend. The situation just seemed off, yet, she couldn't figure out what it was.

Opened one of the fridges. Many packages, transparent recipients with meat. That wasn't sold in the market, she was sure of it. Held one in her hands, seemed homemade, did he have the tools to do so? Alice never mentioned it, and Katia didn't believe her friend would agree with killing animals at her home. Unless she didn't know about it.

Put the meat back into the fridge and closed the door. She needed to return to the others, that place gave her a bad feeling. Was about to walk away when she heard a crack, a noise beneath the floor. Looked down, where the spaces between the wood suddenly had a more open pattern. Was there...something beneath it? It almost sounded like steps...like someone was in there.

Her eyes were stuck to the floor, her ears focused on the sudden steps stopping. The darkness surrounded her. Only the sounds of the beat of her heart and her breath entered her lungs.

A chilly air invaded her ears. "Are you lost, Miss Rojas?"

Katia almost jumped, her feet failing for a second, stepping back as she spot the dark tall figure between the shadows that calmly stepped forward, being revealed.

"I thought you were searching for the restroom..." there was something bloody maniac in his eyes, and his calm, unbothered tone made her shiver.

"I...I was, yeah, I got lost...my bad." She commented nervously, stepping back as he approached her.

"Are you alright, Miss Rojas?" He asked stepping forward.

"I am! Of course!" She chuckled completely terrified, still stepping back. "Why wouldn't I?"

A small gap formed her lips once her back hit some sort of wall. She couldn't escape.

Hannibal stopped in front of her, leaning a bit just inches away from her face, his eyes glistening into the dark. "Because you are just in front of the door and yet don't open it." He pointed to the handle behind her, with a smooth gesture, turned it around and opened it, revealing a small stripe of lightning.

Her breath was suspended, her eyes still wide, terrorized. Took her a second to realize. "Oh...thanks..."

Hannibal stepped away as she fastly opened the door, reaching the hallway. "And miss Rojas." She turned around to listen to the stiff posture still in the darkness of the room. "Watch where you're going next time."

Letting her soul escape her body for a second, Katia Rojas did the best decision of that night: ran away from Hannibal Lecter.

▫️

"Excuse me, I'd like to request a minute of your attention, please." Hannibal called his guests and gathered them around, waiting for the host to speak."First of all, I'd like to kindly thank you for your presence. It is a pleasure to receive you. May I ask, is the food by your pleasing?" The crowd cheered excitedly. Colin, Nadira, and Katia didn't. "Well, that is great news, thank you." The grinned. "Besides your fantastic company, I'd like to also thank someone very special who is also here." His eyes wandered through the crowd and searched for her beauty. "This person is the most important event that has ever occurred to me. The muse of my thoughts and the presence which inspires me every day. Without her, ladies and gentlemen, I'd only be half, no, perphaps not even 20% of the man I am." The crowd sighed and giggled in front of that affection, it was lovely, romantic. "She is an artist, yet, in my eyes, she is art herself." Alice blushed at his words, her cheeks ached from smiling so much. "Alice, darling, could you please come here?"

Colin glanced at her, as she smiled embarrassed, making her way towards the crowd as her fiancé held her hand so she could stay by his side.

"What are you doing?" She whispered discretely to him.

"Declaring my love for you." He whispered back. "And something else."

Hannibal directed himself back to the focused crowd and the many expressions between them. He showed that woman as a precious diamond, as a grace presented by the heavens.

"This dinner was not only made to celebrate life, ladies, and gentlemen. This event's purpose is to also allow us to celebrate, if I humbly may say, a new chapter into my life." He held Alice's hand tight and looked into her eyes. "Into our lives." Hannibal then showed the crowd his partner's hand that adorned the ring. Alice suddenly panicked inside, her eyes widened and directed towards Colin, who stared confused at the show. He couldn't be serious, not now, they didn't agree with this, not now. "It is with immense happiness that I am honored to announce that..." Alice begged into her gaze so she wouldn't say it, she needed to explain it to Colin, it would ruin everything. "....Alice Mallory agreed to present me with the privilege to soon be my wife."

The moment was in slow motion. The crowd clapped, Hannibal's shining smile just as sparkling as the ring on her finger exposed to the guests, including her brother, whose face completely changed to a betrayed, shocked one. His eyes stabbed her soul and tore it apart. Nadira attempted to talk to him but he wouldn't listen, just made his way through the sea of people and tried to leave.

Alice got away as well since the crowd was distracted and tried to go after her brother. "Colin!" She called, watching his angry steps as he walked away.

"You're engaged?!" Katia turned to her. Alice felt ashamed. "When were you planning to tell us?"

"I-I was going to, I swear, Katia..." She mumbled, conflicted as she watched Colin leave.

"Alice you can't just suddenly marry this man, you-"

"I'm sorry, Katia but I need to find Colin" Alice hushed ignoring her friend's speech behind her.

People congratulated her on her way, as she attempted to walk into that long and delicate dress, tripping on the heels as she tried to find her brother.  "Champagne ma'am?" A waiter approached her, but she refused, more people approached "Congratulations Miss Mallory!" Her head spun, the saloon became distorted, and she seemed about to throw up at any second.

"Alice?" Another voice called.

"Taye." She exhaled. "Have you seen Colin?"

"Nadira followed him outside...are you okay? You look pale." He squinted her eyes as he watched that woman almost fade away in front of him.

"I need to find him." She mumbled as attempting to make her way.

"Alice!" He called but she ignored him.

The cold air embraced her completely as she tried to rush, throwing the delicate transparent cinderella's shoes in her path in order to run faster. Into the dark blue, she could spot two young figures.

"Colin!" She called almost out of breath. "Colin!!" The figure turned around, and both her brother and his girlfriend standed there. "Colin please!" She finally reached them, curving her body to breathe. "Let me explain..."

"That's why you wanted me to like him? You're marrying him?!" He reacted offended. Alice has never seen him so mad, so frustrated. "And you didn't even tell me!"

"I was going to!"

"When?! After all the fucking party knew? Thanks for considering your own brother!" He spoke through his teeth.

"Colin, please..." Nadira tried to calm him.

"No!" He shouted. "No, this is wrong. You barely know that man, and yet suspended all your life for him!" He disagreed with his sister's decision with all the air inside his lungs.

"That is not true!" Alice yelled back angry.

"He brainwashed you! I can't even recognize you anymore!" Colin shakes his arms in the air. "Stuck in his house, being shown as this...trophy he turned you into, listening to every word he says, keeping secrets from me." He ran out of words and tried to catch his breath. Alice tried to touch his shoulder but he avoided it as a wild animal. "I thought we were a family."

"And we are...Colin that will never change..."

"No, Ali." He shook his head, his voice distorted by the crying stuck inside his throat. "It already did." He turned to Nadira. "I need to go home."

She held his hand and nodded slowly with her head. She knew she couldn't change his mind for now, even as heartbreaking as this scene was. Maybe all Colin needed at that moment was to be alone and think about all of this. "I'll call Taye so we can leave."

"Colin, no, please, let's talk!" Tears ran down his face. "You need to understand, it was supposed to be like this..." But he walked away, entering the car. "Colin!" He ignored her crying at the window.

Taye arrived but even after trying, he couldn't solve the conflict, with no choice except to leave with the other two. Alice watched her brother disappear into the night horizon and leave her standing there, alone.

"Lissy?" The velvet tone didn't make her move. "Lissy, what are you doing here?" Hannibal's hands were placed on her stiff shoulders, her whole body was rigid, and tense, but also freezing, and trembling. "You are cold, let's get back inside."

"He hates me." She muttered with tears in her eyes, still staring at the path where Colin left. "He thinks... he thinks I lied to him."

"Who, darling?"

"Colin"

"I'm so sorry, love..."

"He wasn't supposed to know it that way." She shook her head. "I was going to tell him, I was-"

"He needed to know the truth"

Alice finally turned to him, and something in her expression changed. There was some sort of...anger?

"Not this way." She replied. "I should be the one to tell him, he is my brother."

"Alice-"

"And yet you didn't even ask me about it. You just wished to put on a show." She spoke through her teeth.

"All I wanted was for them to know how happy we are." He said calmly.

"Is it, Hannibal?" She challenged. "Or did you want to annoy my brother? I know you both dislike each other, don't act cynical. You knew this from the start." Her lips formed a small gap in surprise. "Did you plan this all this time?"

"How can you assume such a thing?"

"And then you accepted to invite Taye even though you can't stand him."  She gasped. "What was this? Some sort of way to mark your territory?"

She was correct in all her assumptions, Alice wasn't dumb, and anyone who saw the scene and knew about what happened behind the curtains could figure it out.

"No, Lissy, that's not what I meant." He helplessly tried to lie, a crescent-pointy feeling grew inside his chest:

Fear.

"Why did you do this...?" She mumbled as she felt the ground beneath her feet shake, her head aching even more, loud as drums.  "Jack, Colin, Katia..." she shook her head. "Will....all of them...they say you're deceiving me..."

He held her shoulders tight, making her look into his eyes. Hannibal Lecter became desperate. "Alice, listen to me, what they say to you it's not true-"

"Are you fooling me...?" Her sentences became more spaced, slower, her skin was pure white, her lips dark.

"No, Alice, listen to me."  He insisted. "You need to listen to me. Only me."

Her body became weaker, trembling, her legs and arms lose. He practically made her stand with his arms.

"Alice, look at me. Alice." He called her, but her head leaned back, the eyes twitched, and the pressure suddenly fell. "Alice you are fainting, look at me." Her body shivered as he embraced her in his arms. "Don't close your eyes, look at me, listen to my voice. You need to listen to me." He insisted as the woman in his arms melted. "Alice!" Her eyes closed and her whole body collapsed into his arms. "Alice, wake up!" He lifted her face, his nape completely wet by the sweat. "Alice!"