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Gustav Klimt
(1907 - 1908)

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//long chapter

"MIRIAM Lass' arm...can you believe that? What kind of monster could...Dr.Lecter? Dr.Lecter are you listening to me?" Jack Crawford questioned with his arms crossed in front of his stuffed chest. The doctor's office was quiet, organized as always.

Alice Mallory didn't text or call since his visit. He left at that same night when she insisted she was feeling better and that he should go home before Colin arrived. Since then they hadn't seen each other, but she was there, still printed all over his mind, wearing those pink pajamas and smilling to him, throwing flip flops but also painting gracefully as a delicate goddess who craved for his touch...oh, the touch of her skin, it was so smooth, so sublime, that for a moment he allowed the dark depths of his mind to wonder how her meat tasted like, but that thought vanished fastly, no, she was beyond any meal, she was to be adored, praised until his thoughts were filled with her and her only. Ignoring every single word Jack Crawford had said.

"He's been spacing out the whole morning." Will Graham passed by holding some files. "For 3 days."

Hannibal just got back to reality once he heard his voice. He cleared his throat, in an attempt to fix the situation. "Pardon me, I was caught too immersed in my reminisces." He didn't give in much details. "You were speaking of the Chesapeak Ripper, Agent Crawford, I suppose."

"That's all he talks about." Will rolled his eyes.

"And you just talk about the Mallory case." Jack replied sharply. "By the way doctor, how's the sister's victim? Any progress?"

Will and Hannibal exchancged conspiratory glances. Then, the doctor turned to the superior "Her mental health is increasing better slowly, but it's still hard for her to clear it out who was the voice over the phone." He told him.

"In any case we know who did it. Boyle." Jack assumed. "And within time we'll find him. Now, we gotta deal with what really matters." He closed abruptelly the file of the Mallory case that Will was reading. "The ripper."

"But if-"

"No, we have only one opportunity now. The last time I had this I let him and Miriam Lass go. I won't do that same mistake again." Jack pointed out determined. And with those words he walked away from the office.

"Even if that means using you as the means to it." Hannibal planted a seed of discord on Will Graham's mind.

"That's a way to put it." Will tiredly rubbed his eyes with his hands. "He's been so obssessed with the ripper lately"

"He is not the only one obssessed over a killer recently." Hannibal commented smoothly. Will looked at him offended.

"Are you saying I'm obssessed with Bree's case as well?" He told him.

"I'm saying that you've been struggling on a difficulty that has already been solved. You've found the responsible which is Nicholas Boyle." Hannibal continued to assure him. Will shaked his head.

"Something just seems off..."

"Everything will fall into place once Boyle is caught by the authorities, until then, there isn't much you may do." Hannibal touched his shoulder.

Will looked down, he felt frustrated for not beinh able to catch the responsible for this madness. The ghost of Hobbs still haunted him along with Bree's mystery. He has never felt so lost and conflicted before.

"Is this what Alice thinks as well?" He looked up at the doctor.

"She seems to have taken the FBI's theory very well." He spoke calmly.

Will sighed, if Alice didn't overwhelm herself over that matter then it was probably a sign to let it go too.

Hannibal's phone suddenly started to ring: an alarm.

"Got something on your schedule?" Will asked curious.

"A very special patient." He smiled at the screen, putting it back into his pocket.

"Thought I was your favorite." The agent joked while looking for something inside his wallet.

"I do not pick favorites." Hannibal rejected the idea, tilting his head a biy to the left. "...Alright, I might make an exception for you."

Will laughed, he was about to pick one of his cards when something fell on the floor. A piece of paper. Before he could reach for it, Hannibal grabbed it.

On his hands, the paper revealed to be a sketch, a very old one, already stained in yellow and kneaded over time. The drawing was in some sort of blue ink and full of details, the figure was a young curly haired man; someone who just by glancing was possible to notice who it was: Will Graham.

Once noticing what he had on his hands, Will grabbed the paper fastly. "Thanks" he said putting it back into his wallet. "I think I'm going to talk with Katz and get some reports on the ripper, then...see you around." The agent said, avoiding any questions about the paper who caught the doctor's attention, as if it was his most precious possession.

"Of course. Have a good day." Hannibal Lecter replied politely watching the agent leave.

The doctor looked back at the time on the watch, his appointment would start soon. He walked towards the painting Alice made for him and that standed grandiously on the wall. But this time he did't stare at the dark landscape, no, his eyes lingered down at the bottom of it, specially on the writting in white ink.

A signature that matched the same as Will Graham's blue pen sketch.

▫️

"Do you feel better?"

"I do, thanks to you."

"No need to thank me. I'm just glad you recovered."

The silence of the room was killing them both.

Alice Mallory couldn't be more nervous, she questioned herself twice before going to that session. She couldn't face him without thinking about what happened. There was no way he treated other patients that way, he would never...would he?

Hannibal Lecter also appeared calm on the surfacw but was internally questioning himself of how she felt after his conduct. She didn't mention anything, didn't comment about it, neither complained. Alice just pretended it never happened and that attitude honestely upset him to say the least.

They were on their usual seats, one across each other, almost letting the silence devour them both. The opaque lightning passing through the curtains, lightming a bit her chestnut hair strands, hw caught himself admired the tiny details and gradient the illumination caused on it. When he realized what he was doing, promptly adjusted himself on his seat.

"How's Colin?" He asked trying to break the awkward atmosphere.

"Oh, he's great. His girlfriend's family loves him." She gave a polite smile.

"That's good for him."

"Yeah."

And the conversation was killed again.

The situation was unbearable, he had to do something, or, the way Alice was, she would give up on therapy and never speak to him again.

And that thought terrified him.

"Do you fancy Operas?" He questioned suddenly.

Alice blinked twice, suprised by the question. "I believe I've never been to one." He couldn't say he was surprised, in those aspects he and her differed a lot.

"Really?"

"Uhum." She nodded. "Do you like them?"

"It is one of the most magnificrnt forms of art." He said proud. "There's nothing similar to it."

"Sounds really unique." She admitted, still unsure what was the purpose of that conversation.

A minute of silence before he could make another attempt.

"Do you have any plans for tonight?"

Alice became anxious again. What did he mean by the question? Was she mistaking things? She definetely was. Had to.

"Does staying at home and watching Animal Planet count as plans?" She chuckled nervous, maybe joking could help her release that tension.

"Animal Planet?"

"It can be very interesting if you pay attention to it."

He almost laughed."Would you like to accompany me tonight at the Ópera de L'ouest in Mccluster Hall?" He said it at once, and just then realized how nervous he felt waiting for an answer.

"Oh." Was Alice's initial reaction, making him want to die. Again, what did he mean with that invitation? And just after that carings, the head kiss, the kind words he spoke to her...sometimes it was hard to distinguish the line between patient or more. If he meant that as more, of course. That could also be a misunderstandment from her despicable mind. "Maybe it's not a good idea..." she tried to tell him.

"You've said it yourself you never saw one." He made a point, she couldn't be ditching him to watch Animal Planet... "I am attempting to give you an opportunity."

Was that it? Of course! Alice breathed relieved. He was only being kind as always. That was tipical of him. Hannibal Lecter probably only wanted her to become more cultured with art, such as the Opera.

Well, that's what Alice thought.

"That's very kind of you..." she smiled. "But I don't even know, I mean, I can't even afford to dress to an event like this."

"Foolishness, whatever you'll wear will be fetching."

"Ha, why?" She joked.

"A dress is only made to expose, evaluate someone's already established beauty." He explained.

It took a second for Alice to understand the compliment, and when she did she wanted to bury her face on the ground for embarrassment, with the cheeks heated, gave a small smile.

"But if dressing is a difficulty, I may provide it for you." Hannibal suggested.

"What? Oh, no, really, I don't-"

"Want to be a burden? I am well aware of that speech already." He pratically read her mind. Guilty to tell, Hannibal Lecter always wished to see her in a clothing he picked, just the thought made him excited. "So, is it set?" He got up and adjusted a button of his suit. "I shall pick you up at...eight p.m, I'll bring the dress and the shoes so you may get ready by nine p.m... I suppose?"

He had already planned the full schedule, and putting it that way, he left her cornered in a way she couldn't refuse anymore.

"Okay..."

"Great." He walked her towards the door, the session wouldn't progress any longer anyway, none of them would be able to think properly. "We'll meet at 8."

"Alright..."

▫️

"It is not alright."

Alice Mallory walked in circles around the apartment, had taken a bath and now wore some comfortable clothes while brushing her hair. But her mind was somewhere else, wandering through the future developmenr and true intentions of that night.

"It is not that I don't want to go, I do, but I am so...confused..." She spoke to herself, or better, to the smilling lady on her bed.

"He seems to really want you to go." Bree commented, resting her face in her hands, lied with her belly down and moving her legs in the air.

"He does, doesn't he?" Alice half smiled while looking at her. "Do you think he...No!" Alice shaked her head. "That is ridiculous, he is my therapist."

"And still a human. Which happens to be a guy who is attractive and that cares for you." Bree observed her lack of reflection in the mirror by the corner.

"He only cares for me because he is being paid for it."

"He is not being paid to cook for you or take care of you when you're sick." She retorted. "Neither accompany you to football games, or take you to have ice cream"

"It is called gelato." She corrected while applying lipstick. "And....well, maybe he had pity on me?"

"That is one of the most stupid things you have ever said." Bree told her. "And you say a lot of stupid things."

"Shut up, you are not even here." Alice admitted the bitter truth. "Actually, why are you here? I thought I got rid of you."

"Something inside your brain wishes that I would be here now, I guess." Bree shrugged her shoulders

"I believe you are right." Alice nodded slowly with sadness, with a bitter smile."I'd love to have you here right now."

Even Bree's illusion seemed to show a small simpathy for her. Alice took a deep breath and held the tears once again. She couldn't cry now. Just for today, once again, she needed to be strong and think only about herself.

It was a hard task but maybe she could fulfill it.

The doorbell rang again, and she could already listen to Colin's voice "what are you doing here?!" She chuckled, it would take some time until he would accept Hannibal around, but it was funny though.

"Hi." Alice smiled once she reached the door, amused to see how elegant Hannibal dressed that night. His silky hair brushed perfectly to a certain direction, the dark expensive suit adorning his large shoulders,the shoes and eyes sparkling with their dark gonality, while he held a bag and a box in his large hands.

"Hello." He spoke sweetly, and when he smiled, she felt butterflies inside her stomach. He noticed she was staring a bit too long at him. Hannibal was the type of man who liked that, specially to be noticed by her. Let's just say that he felt quite flattered to catch her so amused. "One hour before we leave, do you think you can manage to get ready?" He gave her the bag and the box, when he brushed softly his hand against her in the process his skin gained chills.

"Sure..." she looked over the paper bag, was that...Chanel? Alice widened her eyes just by imagining the price. "You didn't need to-"

"I insist." He replied. "After all I was the one who invited you."

"Invited to where?" Colin popped up behind her, looking over the gifts she received making a face. "Where are you going?"

"Please, wait inside while I change." Alice offered and he politely accepted.

It was strange the image of Hannibal, fully dressed up in an expensive Armani suit, sitting at that old and small sofa next to Colin, wearing a hoodie and eating Pringles with a loud noise incremented by his fury.

"Where are you taking my sister?" Colin asked while slowly taking one of the chips towards his mouth, with a 'crack' sound when he bit it without taking his eyes from the guest.

"Didn't she tell you?" Hannibal replied in that passive agressive tone, crossing his legs and observing the family portrait above the fireplace.

"Why would I be asking if she did?"

"If she didn't tell, then I shouldn't either." He mocked smoothly.

Colin furrowed his eyebrows annoyed. "Is it a date?" He asked.

Hannibal didn't reply, instead, got up from the sofa and walked towards the fireplace, observing the family portrait closely. Alice, Colin and the infamous Bree Mallory. They had similarities within them, he could see it now, even though their personalities distinguished a lot.

"Hey!" Colin exclaimed, letting one of the chips fall in the process."My sister's not for you, did you hear me?"

Hannibal grabbed the portrait in his hands, analyzing every tiny detail he could find. The Mallory family was a magnetic field that involved her. A bubble that separated her from the world. They were the ones she seeked help to.

He needed to change that.

"Her attitudes say otherwise." He glanced at him with a mischievous sparke in his dark eyes.

"Wait, are you two-"

At this moment, Alice Mallory screamed at her room, and seconds before Colin could rush to see her, she approached them, already dressed up but with a pair of shoes in her hands.

"OH MY GOD, YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!" She gave little jumps. Hannibal already smirked, knowing the purpose of her excitement.

"What is it, Ali?" Colin asked worried.

"How did you find them?? That's impissible!" She was still in ecstasy.

"I know a friend or two. But that doesn't matter, are they similar?" He spoke humbly with his hands buried in his pockets.

"They are wonderful! Exactly the same from the pictures!" She smiled brightly, something in that smile made his heart race at the speed of light.

"What is going on?!" Colin asked impatient.

"Hannibal found tge same shoes mom gavw me!" Alice exclaimed showing the red dolly shoes in her hands.

Colin looked at the doctor, who appeared victorious. Alice might not have been in love with him, but he was attempting to. And the way things were going, it wouldn't takw long until he'd succeed in that task. Hannibal Lecter was a menace, and that menace was going out tonight with his sister.

"How did he know about that-"

"Allow me..." Hannibal suggested, taking the shoes and putting them on the floor, making Alice ignore her brother completely. He kneeled on the ground, and helped her put on the shoes in Cinderella's style, touching her skin briefly, in an electrifying moment. He looked up grinning like the devil. "The shoe fits."

He got up from the ground, adjusting his suit, as Aloce gave a spin. She was the image of beauty and grace, almost as a descent of Aphrodite herself. With the hair let down, and the lips painted red, her medium sized dress from the same color adorned lace details. It had that classic, princess format, with a heart shaped cleveage exposing her chest. Hanninal tried to fix his tie, suddrnly feeling the temperature of the room increase just by looking at it.

"I don't even know what to say..." she was still radiant.

"Don't ment-"

"Thank you so much!" She exclaimed, then suddenly pulled his face towards hers, delivering a sweet kiss on his cheek.

Hannibal Lecter was astonished for a few seconds, completely paralyzed, the face burning, the heart rushing as if he would die at that moment, tying to process what happened.

"I...Uhm..." he mumbled still a bit oblivious, then cleared his throat, regaining his posture. "...We should probably get going."

"Right!" She agreed. "Colin, there's food if you get hungry, don't expect me to come home before 20 p.m."

"Probably not before 23 p.m." Hannibal corrected, satisfied to see the boy in front of him panic with the statement.

"Not before 23 p.m." Alice told her brother, messing his hair with her hand before walking towards the door. "If you need anything just call me. Don't burn the house down please, and no parties while I'm out."

"Ali, wait, do you really think that's a good idea?" Colin followed them towards the door. "Ali!"

She sighed, turning to him as Hannibal walked foward, waiting for her a bit more ahead, letting them talk privately.

"Colin I'm just going out for fun." She explained to him. "Can't you be a bit understanding and be happy for me?" She asked feeling frustrated.

"I don't trust this guy..."

"But I do." She assured him. "And you should too. He is an amazing person, who's been helping me. I like him."

Her brother stood in silence for a moment, probably speaking evil of that guy made his sister truly upset.

"I just want you safe..." He retorted. "After what happened to Bree..."

"I know." She smilled bittersweetly. "But I'm also an adult. Just as you have friends around you, I'd like to have mine too."

"But you have! What about Katia? Her niece's quinceñera's tomorrow, aren't you going?"

"I am, she is my friend, of course, I'm going She assured him. "But I'm not saying this type of friend...Hannibal is..." she curved her lips, trying to find the right word. "...different." was all she could say "I can't really explain, I gotta go now, goodbye."

She started to walk away as Colin could see Hannibal at the end of the hallway looking back at him triumphant, his sister smiling to the man as they leaded downstaies stairs, one of his arms almost touching her back as he accompanied her.

Alice Mallory's home was her family. And the only remaining part of it was Colin. Being with Alice meant dealing with him. No one could be loved entirely by her since she cared about her brother more than anything else in the world.

Her family would always be the first one in her mind, the first she'd run to. Her savior.

In order to find space in her heart, that needed change, to remove sonething else and replace it.

Sometbjng about the way that situation suddenly changed, by how that man leaded Alice downstairs, caused a bad feeling inside her brother's consciousness.

A bad, and correct feeling that this men would be the end of them all.

▫️

She felt small within that exquisite, grandious crowd. The man by her side didn't, instead, he seemed so superior now, at some sort of level she could never reach. The cchin up to the sky, the posture immaculate, with commercial smiles and dilligent sight, leading her inside.

Alice Mallory looked down, trying to avoid any curious stares, but everybody looked at her. Of course they were, the famous Hannibal Lecter finally brought someone with him to the opera, and a woman. They wanted to know who she was, where she was from and how she managed to make him fall in her web of seduction.

What made her so special that he would choose her? And that thought made Alice feel more and more inferior.

"Lift your head up." Hannibal muttered to her. Alice looked at him, still overwhelmed over the glances as they advanced the outaide stairs to the saloon. "What are you hiding from?"

"People are staring." She spoke shy, feeling her skin burn from the sttange stares.

He took her arm and intertwined with his.  . "Don't mind them, just look at me and it'll be fine." He whispered at her ear, Alice lost her breath for a moment. She nodded silent. "Let's grab our seats. I want you to enjoy this evening."

Once in the audience, sitting side by side, it didn't take long for others to take their seats as well. The saloon had an oval shape filled with gold and an acient architeture, beautifully constructed to echo the music perfectely.

Elegant singers entered the show. Already in their places, one of them, a bejeweled and charmjng woman prepared herseld, as a song of the orchestra begun. Once the instruments started to be played, Alice almost jumped from the impact.

Hannibal only watched her reactions, even surprised, she seemed enchanted by the sounds, and even more when the woman started to sing.

The high pictched and well polished notes echoed through the saloon, but the Opera wasn't just that, it was something between the emotion, the silence and the sound, the space between the heart and the brain that connected with the music.

It was delicate, sublime, and tragic. It sgivered, awakened her soul, controlling body, and even trembled the memories of her nostalgic past. It about was the amusement, the stunning visuals and the connection between the crowd towards that miracle called voice.

Alice Mallory had a small gap between her lips, her eyes glued, completely stuck at the scenario, and even her eyebrows frowned over that beauty.

A small interlude period of time. Hannibal leaned bybher side, whispering softly at her eat "What do you think so far?"

"I am speechless." She spoke still amused. "This is so..." she shaked her head. "It's so beautiful, it's really..." she looked back at him, staring into his eyes, a smile on her lips facing that spectacular man, unsure if she was speaking about him or the opera. "...It's art."

He smiled proud of her, glad to hear that. The musicians and singers gathered back to the stage, another number would begin, a serious man with a mask occupied the center.

"The tale tells a man known as a ghost in an Opera who dedicates his entire existence towards the woman he loves." Hannibal whispered to Alice as the dancers started the scene. "He will do anything to give her the spotlight, reaching the limits of madness." The masked man ran after the bejeweled woman dressed on stage. "But she does not reciprocate his feelings."

"Why?" Alice looked at him amused.

"There are different perspectives on the story, such as he is a monster with or wituout the mask, selfish and manipulative..." Hannibal explained carefully "...or that she can't understand the epitome of his true love. That what he feels is beyond any sense, any fame or glory." Alice could feel her breath escape as the protagonist hit a high grandious note. "Whatever he does, the phantom will always be rejected by love. Even the one that keeps him alive."

"That is so sad." Alice felt empathy for the antagonist of the drama.

The two characters met in a red scenario, full of painted flames and tense atmosphere.

"What is happening now?" Alice questioned.

"They've reached the point of no return. Here, the woman he adores, Christine, makes her choice weather to arrest the phantom for his passionate crimes or surrender to him for eternity." Hannibal most of the times would feel annoyed to explain the details to someone, but that didn't happen now, he didn't mind, actually, he loved to explain it to her, that she could learn from him.

Alice seemed completely controlled by the melody, her eyes watered at the dramatic couple. Hannibal was completely drawn into her essence, softning his soul at her sight.

"What would you choose in her position?" He whispered, brushing lips lips slightly at her ear.

His hand slowly reached for hers, a warm touch that made her heart melt. Alice didn't scare herself, she accepted it, embraced it completely, squeezing his hand softly for a moment.

Hannibal glanced at her, feeling what he had never felt before. Just as the phantom, at that moment, he ached, he craved her, and just that touch of their hands consumed him in flames. Stroking lightly his finger on her skin, he could see Alice closing her eyes for a moment, also immersed into the music, as a single tear rolled her cheek tenderly, crystalline as a shiny diamond.

Christine had made her choice, the phantom was being caught inside her trap. Both of them had also reached their point of no return, and it was too late now.

When Hannibal Lecter looked at Alice Mallory, he didn't understand, but he was sure. He wanted her to be his. He needed to have her, forever.

And when Alice finally looked at him, and he gave her a tender, completely passionate smile, adoring the expression of delight, confusion and sadness on her face, as he cleaned with his free hand the tear on her cheek. Both of them turned back to the show, and watched as the darkness finally embraced them at the final act.

While Christine Daaé escaped the arms of her "angel" of music, Alice Mallory fell into her demon's seductive spell.

...

An event followed the opera, high society people gathered and chattered with expensive and sophisticated vocabulary. They discussed anything, art, patrimony, economy, or just gossiped of others, mostly the last one.

Alice Mallory's sight glistened by the flashing lights and shiny ball gowns that surrounded the saloon. Just as they entered the room, the crowd immediatly looked at them, specially at Hannibal's new guest. But he wasn't one to be intimidated, it was the opposite actually, he wanted to display her around as if she was a trophy, to make that whole saloon aware of her beauty, her grace, and that she was with him, or bettter, that she was his.

He took two glasses of champagne from a waiter that passed, giving one to her as he lead her slowly to a certain area.

"Thank you for tagging me along, I believe I've never seen, or better, heard, anything so beautiul in my life." She said with a smile while watching the many bubbles reaching the surface of the liquid.

"I feel glad that you think that way." He smiled warmly. "I quite fancy your company, we should do this more often."

"Yeah." She said feeling shy. Alice looked around the saloon, the crowd still overwhelmed her. "Are you famous here or something?"

"I don't believe so." He pretended to be humble. "Why?"

"People can't seem to take their eyes from us."

"Can you blame them?" He offered her a toast with their glasses, a smirk on his lips. "I wouldn't take my eyes from you either."

Alice blushed but chuckled a bit at his comment, believing it to be some joke to release her tension. They made a small toast and continued enjoying the music from the orchestra that played.

"Um, Hannibal, I was wondering..." she attempted to say something.

"Yes?" He waited anxiously for her question.

"The opera...the talks...the gestures...I just..." she bit her lip trying to create a full sentence "...promise me that whatever I say, it won't change what we have?"

"Of course." He has been waiting for that moment for so long.

"It's just that...I don't want to keep receiving mixed signs..." she shaked her head. "So I must ask, before things get even more complicated...what-"

"Dr.Lecter!" A woman's voice cut her sentence in half. When Alice turned around, a woman, around her 50s, followed by another man, approached them. She was short sized and with medium dark hair, but dressed elegantly adorning her neck with shiny Tiffany diamonds. "Finally decided to appear, how long since we have seen you."

"Mrs and Mr.Komeda what a delight to see you both tonight." He greeted both of them.

The woman's eyes lingered at Alice for a moment, analyzing her whole figure meticulousy. "I see that you were busy.." she grinned wickedly. "Won't you introduce us, Dr.Lecter?"

"My apologies, of course." Hannibal said for pure politeness. He was still annoyed over the fact that Alice couldn't confess her thoughts to him. "This is Alice Mallory, the generous lady who accepted to escort me tonight" He showed his partner. "Alice this is Mr. and Mrs.Komeda, associates of Baltimore Elite Society and CEOs of Komeda Cosmetics."

Alice widened her eyes, rich people. And not just rich, VERY rich. That couple could buy at least a hundred times her apartment and that still wouldn't affect a single part of their patrimony.

"You must be very special, Dr.Lecter has never brought an accompaniant to the Opera before." The woman said in a velvet tone.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that-"

"Indeed, she is." Hannibal interfered in Alice's good manners. Alice contained a smile that wanted to spread on her face by his sentence.

"And what do you work in, Miss Mallory?" Mr.Komeda asked this time." Are you perphaps an opeea singer as well? I've always imagined Hannibal paired with someone from the Opera, suits him, doesn't it?"

Someone from the opera or rich... The thought made Alice's guts ache. She felt small, inferior, unworthy. And of what? She didn't even know what she meant for Hannibal. Until then, he was her therapist, maybe a friend now. He would tell those people the truth and avoid any gossip that might ruin his reputation by being paired with her, it was just a matter of time.

Alice hesited to say the truth to the rich billionaire, working in a cheap food delivery restaurant seemed as a joke in a place like that.

"Alice is an artist." Hannibal replied instead, not exactly wrong. "I have never seen such an spectacular work and knowledge in art before. Definetely one of the things that most fascinates me in her." He spoke with heart eyes all over her.

Even Mrs.Komeda sighed at that display of caring in front of them. Alice didn't know how to react at first over such a compliment, but did feel flattered to hear those words from him.

"That's a bit of an overstatement." She said with a small smile.

"Another quality: incredibly humble." Hannibal commented, the rich couple chuckled.

She glanced at him, almost saying "what are you doing?!" But he didn't reply. Instead, continued the worshipping boyfriend play pretend, except from the part where he didn't pretend at all.

"Well, I'd certainly love to see your work someday, we all know that Hannibal's taste in art is as immaculate as his cooking!" She exclaimed and gesticulated a chef's kiss with her hands. "Speaking of it, It's been too long since you've properly cooked for us, Hannibal." Mrs.Komeda waved at him. "Have you ever seen him cooking Alice, may I call you Alice?"

"I've had the opportunity to enjoy his cooking a few times. He is very talented." Alice smiled to her partner. Butterflies flew through his stomach, he loved when she complimented him.

"It's an entire performance. He
used to throw such exquisite dinner
parties. You heard me. Used to. " The woman complained. Then winked at Alice. "Now I think I know why, he wants makes it exclusive for you dear." She scoffed, Alice almost choked on her champagne. "You should convince him to cook for us someday, he'll probably listen since it's from you.'

Hannibal teased the woman with false grandiosity and a warm smile "I will again. Once inspiration strikes. I cannot force a feast. A feast must present itself. "

Alice found his subtle ways to irritate those people funny. Mrs.Komeda complained again "It's a dinner party, not a unicorn."

"But the feast is life. You put the
life in your belly and you live." He spoke. Alice nodded agreeing with him.

Before Mrs.Komeda could say anything else, she notices two figures attempting to engage in the conversation, but specially talk to the doctor. "I believe that young man is trying to get your attention." She abniunced. A short man with beard and shy stance smiled at the group, followed by a tall, dark skinned and elegant one. "I must say sweetie, it is a waste of time, his eyes are only for Miss Mallory here."

Hannibal gave a short laugh at her comment, then turned to the gentlemen next to him, one of them was his patient, Franklyn, the other one he didn't know very well, but something inside his cold eyes did not appear right.

"Hello." Hannibal Lecter simply said, with no affection whatsoever.

"Hi! Nice to see you." Franklyn shaked his hand excited. Then showed the man by his side. "This is my friend, Tobias."

But Tobias didn't pay attention to the conversation. His sight was stuck on Alice's anatomy. When Hannibal realized the act, he felt an urge to claim his territory, positioning one of his hands tightly but gently around her back, pulling her next to him in a subtle mannerism.

Alice blushed by the gesture, feeling her heart race so fast that it almost escaped her chest. And something in herself liked what he did.

"Good evening" Hannibal simply spoke without shaking the man's hand. Alice could notice a slight change in his tone, as if something annoyed him deeply.

"How do you two know Hannibal?" Mrs.Komeda asked the question both for Franklyn and Alice.

"There should remain some mystery to
my life outside the opera." Hannibal contained the woman's enthusiasm, he didn't wish for anyone to snoope around him and his muse's life.

"I'm one of his patients." Franklyn didn't bother. "Oh, sorry, my name's Franklyn by the way." He friendly introduced himself to Alice. "I didn't know Dr.Lecter had a girlfriend, a pleasure to meet you." He attempted to be kind. The gesture comforted Alice a bit, he seemed genuily happy to be there.

"Nice to meet you too, Franklyn." She smiled "I'm Alice." Hannibal wanted to drag her awau from the conversation a quick as possible. He knew Ftanklyn was obssessed eith him, knew that his apporaches would only mean as a way to befriend him. Even if Alice would become a mean to it. "Did you enjoy the perfomance?"

"I loved it. Every minute." He spoke excited. "Wait, are you brittish?"

"The accent always gives me away."

"I love England! I've visited it a few times." He tried to initiate a conversation. Hannibal mentally fantasized about killing his patient. "Which part are you from?"

"Do you know Bristol?"

"The green capital of Europe! It is beautiful there." He complimented, Alice felt quite flattered for someone to acknowledge it, the room felt more welcoming now.

"I certainly need to visit it now." Tobias, who has been quite this whole time, finally spoke, his eyes still stuck Alice Mallory. "I must say Miss Mallory, you look stunning tonight."

"Oh, thank you." She spoke politely. "I love...uh... your tie, very... stylish." She tried to be kind, even though his gaze made her slightly uncomfortable.

"A lady of taste. Tell me, Miss Mallory, do you play any instrument?" Tobias continued. "Or perphaps sing? Your neck seems like a perfect lead performer's one." He looked at her as if she was a walking violin.

"No...not really, I'm terrible, actually." She chuckled. "I suppose you do play an instrument, right?"

"I also have my own atelier where I produce violins and strings." He informed.

"That sounds incredible." She complimented.

"You should visit it sometime. I also teach, if you are interested in having any private lessons." He pulled out a card from the pocket of his suit.

Before Alice could take the card, Hannibal did instead, he looked at the shiny letters and quickly put it on his pocket, with a cold gaze towards the musician. "That is very kind of you." The doctor spoke. Tobias gave a mocking smile in response.

"Anyway..." Alice noticed the conversation turned slightly hostile. "What did you think about the ending of the Opera, Franklyn?" She questioned. In that circle of people, Franklyn was genuily, besides Hannibal, the one she most liked. He was humble and simply happy to be there. Nothing else to hide, neither to show off.

"Oh, it was so-"

"Don't say too much. You must leave
something for us to discuss next
week. " Hannibal hustled off his patient. "Franklyn, good to see you." He shaked his hand. "Tobias." This one he handshaked stronger, establishing his presence. "If you please excuse us, Alice and I must go."

She furrowed her eyebrows, questioning his sudden urge to leave.

"Wait Hannibal, aren't you going to cook for us?" Mrs.Komeda asked betrayled.

"Unfortunetely, I am booked for tonight." He said, lingering his eyes at Alice full of tenderness for a moment. "It was great to see you. Maybe next time."

"The lovebug really bit him." Mrs.Komeda commented with her husband.

"I was enchanted to meet you all." Alice said with a polite smile, she was indeed a walking sunshine that lightned the whole room. She waved at Franklyn who replied to the gesture with kindness.

"Shall we, darling?" Hannibal spoke softly at her ear, but audible for all of them to listen. The sudden nickname gave her whole body chills "I've prepared plans for us at home..." her face turned completely red, Mrs.Komeda grinned with her husband at them, Tobias didn't seem affected as Hannibal preferred, and Franklyn...was Franklyn.

Alice just swallowed dry and nodded shy at him, as he escorted her out of the opera, still with his hand placed on her back. He opened the door gently for her to get in, and once they were inside the car, she still couldn't relax. She couldn't erase the sentences and manners he had that night, the unspoken feelings in the air, and the taste of champagne in her mouth.

"You have done impressively well tonight." He complimented her as he drived away. His modern expensive car was awfully silent.

"Thanks..." she tilted her head. "You have very...dinstinctive friends."

"What do you mean?"

"High society people who own bussiness companies, or musicians...even that Franklyn seems quite rich."

"Does that bother you?" He asked concerned.

"No, what? Oh, no, they are your friends, of course not." She spoke considerate. "I just don't know if I've made you embarrassed or anything since I'm not used to these type of places, or people in general."

It was incredible how Alice could be so sweet and understanding, almost inhuman. He tightned his hands on the wheel, containing his urge to just stop that car and...

"You'd never embarrass me." He spoke right away. "It was an honor to receive you tonight." He told her. "And if that is of any relief, Mrs. And Mrs. Komeda are just acquaitances of Baltimore's society, Franklyn is a patient, my relationship with him couldn't be anymore than professional."

"But I'm your patient too."

A silence fell within them. Indeed, Alice Mallory and Will Graham were his only exceptions that made him break his code. But Alice could never be compared to Frank.

"Our relationship is... different." He told her.

"Right..." she nodded with a short half smile. "...we are also friends." She pratically stabbed him.

He didn't alter his expression but couldn't help but feel frustrated. He made efforts to wow her the whole night and she still didn't see him as anything else. That was harder than killing at plain sight.

"What matters is...did you enjoy yourself?" He questioned.

"I did! The opera was fantastic, I loved it so much." She was still completely amused by it. "Thank you for tagging me along."

"And I thank you for accepting the invitation. I've had quite a great time." He said sweetly. Then procceded to his second part of the evening. "Are you hungry? I could cook for us-"

"Colin would be worried." She made a face. "Maybe I should go home..."

"Colin is almost an adult who will soon leave to college." He explained. "And you are a hardworking woman who is finally taking time to enjoy an evening by yourself. If he truly loves you, he should understand it."

He wasn't wrong, Alice spent most of her life taking care of her family since college she barely had nights like those.

"Well, I did tell him I wouldn't show up before 23 p.m..." she gave a half smile, convinced by the doctor.

"You did." He agreed with a malicious tone.

"You know what? You are right." She spoke decided. "I'm an adult, I make my own curfew."

"Yes, you do."

"Okay, so where are we going?"

"My house."

Just then she realized. His house. Late at night, with just the two of them, a fantastic display of dinner and perphaps a bottle of wine.

Alice shaked her head, she was probably  overthinking the situation. Instead, she just tried to be positive and enjoy the night.

▫️

"Wait." Alice interrupted while he drived. "Stop the car." Hannibal looked at her confused. "Stop the car, stop the car!!"

He immediatly pulled over the vehicle, gently of course. When he did that, Alice got out of the car, Hannibal followed, realizing how unpredictable that woman was.

The sky was dark but filled with bright shining stars, as she pointed to high above, with a pure smile, feeling the cold air embrace her body.

"Alice-"

"Look." She grabbed his hand and pointed up, as a constellation formed into the sky and slowly little drop of snow fell above them.

They had stopped by a large concrete bridge that faced the river, only cars passed, no people around, as the city lights illuminated the area in golden colors. Alice was completely amused by the snow that fell on the tip of her nose, gelid, melting as she squinted her eyes with a cute smile that gave him butterflies.

"It's snowing." He stated the obvious, glancing at her figure. "Haven't you seen the snow before?"

"I did but..." her breath escaped, visible between the chilly weather. "It's the first time in 7 months that I feel the snow again." She standed her hand in the air, feeling the cold pieces fall above, melting into water.

She was amused by the snow. The snow.

It was impressive how she could be amused by every little thing, how she appreciated each aspect of life, to love each existence and aspect to a certain level that it was almost impossible to believe.

She quivered under the cold and he took off his coat, placing it above her shoulders as she gazed at him, embracing his cottin cure with gratefulness, vulnerably standing between the qhite amplitude by his side.

"And how does it feel now?" He asked, standing by her side, now wearing the white formal shirt covered by the dark vest on his chest.

"Completely different than I expected it to be." She contemplated the river that ran beneath the bridge, reflecting their figures. Her eyes met his hazel, adorable ones, that were completely surrended by her image. "It's better." Alice tried to avoid his staring figure but couldn't, she giggled nervous, her cheeks flushed. "Why are you doing that?"

"Doing what?" Seeing her smile made him do the same involuntairly as well.

"You're staring at me." She covered her face with her hands. "Do I look weird? God..."

"No." He took her hands from her face abd held them on his. Alice her chest blossomed suddenly by his touch. "...your hands are cold." He muttered.

"Well it is very cold." She grimaced while lancing at the city lights. "You know what is really cool to do in a place like this?"

"What?"

"Drink." She replied. He lifted one of his eyebrows finding her statement funny. "The drink between the cold, and then stare at the river and telling stories..." she tilted her head to the side. "I used to do this with my friends in college when exams were over, sometimes we'd jump into a lake too." She chuckled.

Hannibal suddenly let her hands go, Alice stared at him confused as he entered the car and picked up something. Coming back with a bottle of wine on his hands.

"Where the hell did you get that from?" She laughed.

"I bought this so we could open it at home but...." He smirked charmingly, she chuckled as he tried to open the bottle. "My apologies, I don't have an opener, neither glasses."

"We don't need that" Alice grabbed the bottle and with great skill opened it with no efforta in her own hands. He looked at her impressed, with a small gap between his lips. "Used to do this for my father."

"Oh."

She handled him the bottle, indicating for him to drink as she savored the cold breeze against her face.

Even he found that appropriate or just...unusual, they passed the bottle from time to time, drinking from the same spot, inderectely kissing each other as Alice used to make jokes and Hannibal would get along, enjoy each of her tales and get even more light headed by the wine.

He was drinking more than her, that was a fact, and maybe, by the overdose of joy of that night, and her presence, he started to get high on that emotion, drunk with the liquid.

There was something insanely hot about the way he lifted his head while drinking from the bottle, by how his jawline was perfectly sculpted and his eyes closed into the middle of that blidinding lights city. The sleeves pulled up, the hair a bit messed up by the wind, the hazel eyes sliding through her figure.

And she seemed so free, with no worries, smiling at him, God, he loved her smile so much. He loved to see her happy that way, to have her close, just the two of them in the middle of the night, it drived him crazy, the humanity in him screamed.

"Hannibal." She called him, he looked at her, the expression easy, natural. She has never seen like that, so relaxed, without that stiff posture and rigid manners.

"Mhm?" He was obviously drunk, which just made that even more hilarious. Alice chuckled. "What is it?"

"Nothing is just that...sorry." she giggled. "You look adorable."

"Do you think I'm adorable?" He mumbled, his eyes glistened.

"Yeah, you are." She still laughed. He smiled cutely, the cheeks blushing.

His eyes stopped at her head. "Your hair looks so soft." He muttered watching her dark brown strands flying by the breeze. "And your eyes, they look like these...huge sapphires..." He gestured closing and opening his fists. She smiled softly at him. "And I like watching you smile" He sighed helpless. "That is so annoying..." his tone was full of frustration.

"Why?" She couldn't help but find that funny.

The cars passed by as Hannibal let the bottle down next to them, the bright city in the background behind him.

"Why do you have to be like this?" He standed in front of her. Alice widened her eyes surprised.

"Is it...bad?"

"It's horrible." He replied serious.. "It's terrible, because you...you..." he pointed to her, his feet failed for a second. "You make me feel this...inconvenience."Hannibal mumbled showing his teeth.

"Inconvenience?"

"Yes!" He exclaimed, his hair shaked by the breeze caused by the cars passing fastly by them in an adrenaline rush, along with the veins and hearts pulsing inside tneir bodies. "Making me question things because of you, wait impatiently just to see you....My head... fuck, my head is filled with thoughts of you." He mumbled irritated.

Alice paralyzed, suspending her breath. "Is it...?"

"Yes." His voice was hoarse, looking into the deep blue of her eyes. Comepletely surrended to them. "As if you're some sort of poison inside my veins...killing me softly, delicately..." he lingered his glance at her lips, she trembled. "You're my Achilles' heel, Ms. Mallory..."

"You are so drunk." Alice mocked him, trying to release the tension inside her chest.

"I know!" He exclaimed walking in circles on the sidewalk, back and forth.

"What is going on with you?" She laughed adorably, making his heart melt, he returned to her.

"I don't know." He said frustrated." Gor onve in my entire existence, I don't know, and that is the worst part of it all."

"Hannibal..." his face was just inches from her, their hot breaths mixed, a contrast with the cold, listening to the river's flow on the shores.

"Why are you doing this to me...?" He whispered softly, completely surrended, letting the snowflakes melt once reaching his hair.

"I'm sorry..." her bidy shivered as one of his hands brushed against hers. She could feel his gaze at her lips, his chest barely touching hers, the pulse of the lights and traffic against her heartbeat. His structure was so tall, so strong in front of her, and yet so fragile, vulnerable as never before.

Their hearts vibrated with the electrifying tension the air, almost choking by the lack of air inside their lungs. His fingers lightly stroked her cheek, hesiting, but slowly caressing her face, Alice felt her stomach tickle inside.

He was conflicted, destroyed, yet reborn. That woman made him question everything, his existence, his feelings, his purpose. And at that moment, he showed both sides of the mask that covered his emotions. He had opened up, without knowledge, without notice to her.

He craved for her touch, for her attention, completely numb to her, surrended, hypnotized, all he wanted was her.

The moonlight shined beautifully above them, sparkles floated in the air, butterflies flew through his stomach and a crescent anxious, aching feeling grew burning inside his chest. "...May I kiss you?"

Alice almost gasped by his question, but he was so close, she was so softned by his touch, and at the same time, so into his figure, so immersed into that sensation. "...Yes..." she whispered shy.

Hannibal audibly sighed heavily in relief as he leaned foward, closing the gap between them. She closed her eyes in advance, as slowly, could feel the taste of his lips against hers, melting, sinking. His hands touched carefully her nape as one of his hands pulled her close by the waist, it was a gentle, soft kiss that made her breathless.

He could feel her smile against his lips, a cold feeling inside his stomach as she touched his chest with her hands. She tasted just like honey: sweet, devastating, delicious, and her scent invaded her lungs. "God...you smell so fucking good..." he mumbled against her lips, Alice giggled and he smiled softly, adorably over her.

There was something magical, simply mesmerizing about that short adorable moment between them, the lightning city and the busic traffic above the dark river. It was the first step towards a beautiful emotion, and a tragic destiny.

When they aparted without air inside their lungs, he cupped her face wiyh his large veiny hands, as she looked at him with shiny eyes and a warm smile that took control of his whole body. "Why do you have to be so cute?" He muttered. She chuckled at him embarrassed, her cheeks flushed.

"I wish you could do these things sober." She commented guilty to admit that she liked it.

"Would you let me do it again?" He asked, eager to kiss her once again, once he had tasted her, he became addicted.

Alice stared at him shy, a tiny smirk on her lips. "I would..."

"Then I'd like to do it again." He replied right away and she sniffed.

"It's cold. I should take you home." She muttered to him.

He pulled her close, his arms around her, letting her rest her head in his chest. "You can warm me up." She laughed at him, but couldn't deny she loved to cuddel with him between the snow, the bright lights and the coldness.

"As much as I love this..." she muttered, still with her head sunk into his large warm chest. "I wouldn't forgive me for letting you catch a cold. Come on." She tried to deceive herself from his arms. Before letting him go, she looked into his eyes. "Promise me, you'll remember this at morning?" He nodded cutely. "Let's go."

Alice Mallory dropped the drunk Hannibal at home with his car and went home by foot. She didn't care about Colin's criticisms and questions about the date, or bothered to change her clothes. She just threw herself on her bed, stared at the ceiling and smiled like a fool, the hands anove the chest that beated nonstop, still able to feel his lips against hers and replay the moment in her mind whenever she closer her eyes.

Alice Mallory was finally falling in that sweet temptation. And she'd once regret that for the rest of her days.