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Rene Magritte

1928
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"I FEEL strange." He spoke calmly. "I never had experienced this sort of emotion... Seemed too idealistic to wish to spend so much time in someone's presence, to share completely your life with them." Hannibal reflected, his eyes facing the woodden vlean floor beneath his feet.

"But you don't think the same way anymore." The blonde, charming woman sitting across him spoke.

"I strangely don't."

"And what caused that change?"

"I've met someone." He confessed. "A young woman full of life and energy...she became the first thing I think about when I wake up, and the last one when I go to sleep. I catch myself learning vegeterian recipes to prepare for her even though I find them insipid. And when I find something interesting, specially artistic, she's the first one I want to share my
thoughts with."

"Is she aware of what you feel?"

"No, I don't believe she does, since we treat each other as... friends." He stared at an invisible point across the window. "I've tried to hint what I felt a few times, well, unconsciously, since even I don't know what this is."

"What was her reaction?"

"She hesists, avoids the subject." He made a pause. "But I do believe she might feel...something... as well."

"But not as deep as you."  The doctor realized.

He looked into his colleague cold eyes. "Correct."

"Does that upset you, Hannibal?" Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier questioned her most difficult patient, resting her hands above her lap together.

He crossed his legs in a subtle, quiet act, as he observed with serenity the window. A thin rain fell from the fret misty sky.

"I don't believe I would describe it as 'upset'..." he thought for a moment. "Since I didn't...give up, in the situation."

"You want to make her to feel the same." Bedelia analyzed. "You can't force someone to develop feelings for you Hannibal, you're aware of that."

"I certainly am." He quickly responded in order not to be misunderstood. "I do not have the intentions to create any emotions...But I do want to evolve them." He rephrased. "Before I met her, I'd never expect to feel something for someone like her. She was the type of person I'd rather distance myself from." He realized, with his hands holding each other, Alice's image vivid inside his mind "But now I can't imagine my life without her." He looked at the doctor. "Do you believe this is normal?"

"Some pepple may describe that as... 'love' "Even Bedelia seemed surprised to see her patient to feel such a thing. "it might appear strange, since you barely experienced it, but it may do crazy things to people." She explained carefully.

"I've had patients in love. I've observed so many of them, giving everything they could, fighting, dying for it, as some sort of drug that killed them slowly." He clenched his jaw. "I've always thought of it as something...disappointing." he concluded. "But now I somehow...understand their reasons."

"Do you mean you'd be willing to risk yourself for love?" Du Maurier tried to hide her reserved surprise about his declarations.

"I am not sure of what limits I would cross for Alice." Hannibal continued "Her happiness seems to have become one of my priorities, despite any justification."

"That is a dangerous statement, Hannibal." She warned him, fearing for that woman's safety. "The unknown line between love and madness can be deceiful." He took a deep breath at her response.

"And what would you suggest, Dr.Du Maurier?" Hannibal asked.

"Would you listen to my opinion?"

"I certainly appreciate your advice as my colleague."

"And which version of you would be listening to it?" She questioned.

"A version of me?"  He asked confused.

"Naturally, I respect its meticulous construction, but you are wearing a very well tailored person suit." He found her statement slightly funny.

"Do you refer to me as Person Suit with your psychiatrist friends?" He teased.

"I don't discuss patients with my psychiatrist friends, particularly since I only have one patient who chose to ignore my retirement." She replied at his level.

"A patient who wears a Person Suit." He muttered.

"I can still see the shape of you, but you're elegantly obstructed. " Bedelia observed his musterious hazel eyes staring back into hers. "So really, it's less of a person suit and more of a human veil."

"I prefer we call it a human shield." He joked.

"I'm sure you do." She nodded, preferring not to laugh and mainrain her point. "You're a complicated man, Hannibal. I imagine that must be lonely."

"I have friends." He reminded himself of Will Graham. "...And now Alice."

"On the other side of the veil." Bedelia retorted. "Just like everyone, she doesn't get to see your full panorama." Bedelia  arefullt measured her sentences, attemptong not to get on his bad side. "The question is: what would become of you both, if you let her see it?"

He didn't reply. Instead, thought deeply about her statement. Could he hide his true nature forever in order to keep Alice by his side? He did wish she could accept it, but the risk was too high to take.

A buzz interrupted the section. It was his phone, vibrating on the pocket of his well tailored suit. Bedelia gestured for him to pick it up, unbothered.

"Hello." He replied as he held the device on his hands. Dr.Du Maurier could notice his expression suddenly soften up over the voice at the other side of the line. "Of course, I'll be there soon." An almost imperceptible smile crossed his narrowed lips. "Goodbye."

When he turned off the phone, the doctor could already guess it who it was. The way he acted just by a call... It was almost as he became alive, colorful and vivid only by listening to her voice. "It's her."

"She wants to see me." He said honest, now in a neutral expression.

"Are you going to?"

"I apologize for interrupting our session." He hushed, taking care of his priority.

"It is not much of a trouble." She replied politely. He got up from his seat and she escorted him until the door. It was unusual for him to interrupt a session, specially because of someone. "Hannibal." She called before he could leave. "Think about what I've said." She warned him, realizing that what he felt was dangerous, very dangerous. "Love is a road of two ways. Once you cross the limits, you are not just risking your life, but the other person's as well." She told him. "Be careful."

Without further words, he only nodded with his head and got into the car, already on the other side of the veil.

▫️

"Thanks for coming." Alice Mallory replied while holding the small cup of coffee, trying to warm her cold hands. "I hope I didn't interrupt you in anything."

"You didn't." He replied considerate, sitting across her seat at the 60s themed diner they were in.

She hesited to speak at first, just looking at him gave her butterflies by remembering about last night. Felt embarrassed to say something so tried to keep up in a conversation until he could talk about ut first.

"I wanted to inform you about a decision I've made." She told him, finally determined.

"Which is?"

"I will no longer go to therapy." Alice broke the silence and also the smile on his lips.

He paralyzed. Did he manage to scare her at the opera? What happened last night? All he could remember was drinking and then waking up in his home. Hannibal panicked for a moment inside, did she know about his particular uncommon hobbies? Did she discover something that made her run and hide? He couldn't keep quiet. "Why?" He questioned, appearing to be calm on the surface.

"One way or another, I wouldn't be able to continue having sessions with you." She explained, lingering her eyes down for a moment. "Specially after last night."

"If I offended you in some way-"

"You didn't." She replied fastly, gesturing her hands in the ait. "No, you were..." she hesited to look at him, sighing "...perfect..." Hannibal stared confused. His lack of reaction made her pretty shy. Alice cleared her throat. "Anyway... I can't be your patient anymore. I can not see you as my therapist. I mean, we are friends...aren't we?" She revealed. "That would affect your judgement, wouldn't it?"

"...That is correct." He agreed still serious. "May I suggest a referral then?"

"No." She refused. "Besides...." she gestured to both of them. "...This..." Alice made a pause. "I came to the conclusion that this treatment may not help in my sister's case after all. It might take years for me to recover conscience of that voice over the phone, or maybe never do. There's also the possibility that I've heard no such thing at all." He knew that it was hard for Alice to admit that out loud, but also felt glad that she accepted his suggestions. "So it would be a waste of time for both sides to persist on that matter. Besides, the police already has their prime suspect." Alice explained. "Soon, Nicholas Boyle will face the consequences of what he did. Until then, there isn't anything I can do about it."

Hanninbal agreed in moments with silence. "Have you informed Will about this?"

"I plan to do it." She confirmed. "But I wanted to tell you first."

He felt slightly comforted to be the first one she'd tell it to, but couldn't help but feel quite sad to receive those news. She wouldn't insist on investigating, which was a good thing, but also wouldn't be close as she used to, once again that strange feeling took over him.

"And what will you do now?" He asked, fearing to say goodbye for the first time.

"What I always do." She lifted her shoulders indifferent. "Keep surviving. Help Colin get into college. Deliver food." Seemed like a boring life, and worse, a life without him.

He glanced at her hand above the table, cold, lonely. "May I ask a delicate question?" Hannibal asked.

"Have I ever stopped you from doing one?"

"Oh, you did." He smiled.

"I did, didn't I?" She chuckled softly. "Please  go ahead."

He wet his lips with his tongue before speaking, trying to find the right words. "What happened...last night?" He delicately looked into her blue to green eyes.

The question caught Alicr off guard, she closed her hand above the desk, looked outside the window, at the busy traffic, trying to understand her own emotions.

He indeed didn't rememember any of it.

"You don't remember any of it?" She asked a bit schocked.

Hannibal anxiously feared what could've happened. He felt too comfortable next to her, trusted her bindly to the point he got drunk and under her carings. He was reckless. "No." He replied, noticing some strange reaction from her.

Alice felt slightly frustrated, but didn't know if she should tell him the truth. What if he remembered and didn't want to talk about it? What if he regretted what happened? That maybe kissing her was a mistake he didn't want to commit. Perphaps she shouldn't remind him after all. "You...just got drunk...and I drove you home. That's all." She was scared of his possible answer if she was honest, even if she hated to lie that way.

"That's it?" He asked, able to notice her discomfort by saying that sentence. He knew that she was lying. He could feel it.

"Yeah, just that"

"Hannibal." Alice tried to walk with him towards the front door. "Steady, hey, steady..." she relied his tall and strong figure at a wall. "Okay, now where's your room?"

He opened a devilish smirk that made her tremble in flames. Lingerinv his eyes at her hands on his chest, helping him keep his balance. "Why would you like to know?" His voice was hoarse, low, and insanely attractive.

"So I can put you to sleep. You are drunk." She replied, almost unable to look at the hot mess he was.

He stumbled, trying to reach her, Alice helped him stand on his feet. "Is that really your only intention?"

"Yes...?" Alice muttered, as his eyes lowered through her figure. She looked so beautiful, so delightful. It caused a jittery, shivering effect across his whole body.

He delicately touched her chin, leaning close to her face, the lips once again just inches apart. She felt her whole face burn. "Are you trying to seduce me?" He whispered in a hot breath.

"No-"

"It's working." He leaned foward to kiss her once again, Alice instantly blushed and avoided, pushing his chest, making him trip on his feet and fall, tbe face crashing onto the floor.

"Oh God! I'm so sorry...!" She hushed and tried to help him get up.

He groaned on the ground. Unable to resist. "Dieve, ką tu man darai...tai nesąžininga... (God , what are you doing to me...it's not fair...)"  He sighed in lithuanian, the more she pushed him away, the more he craved.

"What are you saying?" Alice questioned confused. He stande again, now in front of her, his hand playing with a strand of her hair. "Hannibal..." She whispered, her chest movibg up abd down in a shaky breath. He leaned foward once again, thirsty. "...You...You are drunk! No,no,no." She pushed him away.

"Alice, darling..." Not that nickname, he knew that was her weakness.

"Goodnight, Hannibal!" She felt her heart speed inside her chest while running, passing through the door and leaving fastly before her heart could decide otherwise.

"No. Nothing happened.." She felt her cheeks burn.

"But you are blushing-"

"It's the coffee." She lied fastly. "It's nothing." Alice ceared her throat. "Um...I  wanted to invite you to something." He listened attentive. "To retribute for yesterday, of course." She corrected so he wouldn't think otherwise.

"You don't need to retribute-

"Just listen, okay?." She said, already in a pile of nerves. "There's this party..."

"I'm listening."

"Would like to be my plus one?" She invited, anxiously waiting for a response, tapping her fingertips on the cold table's surface.

He smiled brightly, her stomach filled with butterflies. Why did he have that effect on her whenever he smiled?

"Would you like for me to join you?"

"Um...yes...?" She felt embarrassed. He found it adorable. She was inviting him, asking him out, he thrilled over that situation.

"I'd love to accompany you, then." He replied gladly.

"Really?" She asked still surpised, but also happy.

"Sure, when is it?"

"Tonight."

"Tonight?" He asked a bit surprised.

"Why? Do you have any plans?"

"...It doesn't matter." He shaked his head "Baltimore society can wait for another day."

"What? No, no, no." She replied fastly. "It's okay, you don't need to go. If you promised them-"

"It's alright, I can postpone it- "

"Still, you gave them your word. I don't want you to be seen as a liar." Little did she know..."Were you going to cook for them? At your house? Which hour?"

"Yes. At 20 p.m."

"What about..." She looked up for a moment "...we go to the party, which starts at 18h p.m, stay until 20h, and you manage to arrange your dinner for 21 p.m.?" She said. "Or is it too rushed?"

"It is actually a good idea." He loved her intelligence. "I can arrange the ingredients and preparements so I can cook faster within this hour we arrive." He explained. "Genius." He complimented, Alice chuckled. "Why don't you join me for dinner as well?" He invited.

"I shouldn't-"

"Please." His hand slightly touched hers for a moment at the table. "I'd love to receive you."

She suspended her breath by his touch. How could he not remember what happened?! The thoughts of last night burned inside her mind.

"Okay...if you insist." she smiled shy. "So, I'll pick you up at 17:30, okay?" She said.

"You'll pick me up?" He lifted his eyebrows.

"Uhum."

"On your scooter?" He mocked.

"You never had a ride on it with me." She smiled adorably, he completely melted. She was just a cute cinnammon roll. "Oh, and one more thing."

"Yes?"

"I love your style...but it is a simple event, so don't dress too formal."

"Do I dress too formally?"

"Uhhh..."she showed her teeth. "A bit." She told him. "I like it, I do! But the place we're going to is...well, not very much like the places you're used to." She simply said.

"Okay." He answered. He didn't mind at the moment, he was happy enough for her to want to share a part of her world with him instead. Even if it was something he wasn't used to.

"So, it's a...." she was about to say date "um...scheduled?" She got up from her seat.

"Of course." He replied, realizing how clumsy she was that day, almost tripping on her feet when grabbing her purse.

"Bye, Hannibal." She replied, waving goodbye fastly.

"See you soon, Alice." He almost chuckled by how fast she walked away.

Once Alice crossed the door, she tried to calm her heartbeat, muttering to herself "Get yourself together Alice...God, you look like teenager."

▫️

"Are you going to Katia's party?" Colin asked that night. He was studying in his room for the SAT, but his focus vanished away when he saw his sister running around the house looking for a missing bracelet.

"Yes, I'm just getting ready!" She gave little jumps from one room to another.

Alice was radiant, excited. It's been so long since she saw her friend Katia, they were very close. Almost like family, she was one of the first people that welcomed her in Baltimore actually. But Alice pushed her away when Bree died. Actually, she pushed everybody away at the time.

But now she was extremely excited to show a part of her world to Hannibal, to maube appear interesting to.ahow a part of herself, if he wouldn't be terrified by it of course, that was what she worried about.

Attempted to be positive: That night would go perfect, and later she would manage to impress his rich friends, what could go wrong?

She spinned on the sparkling purple dress, and hushed towards the door, ready to leave.

"How do I look?" She asked her brother.

"Still ugly." He mocked. Alice threatned to throw her shoe at him. "Great! You look great! Wow! Beautiful! A model!" They both laughed. "Katia will be so happy to see you."

"Are you sure you don't want to go?"

"I really wish I could, but I gotta study if I want to get into Stanford." He sighed.

"Hey." She pet his hair, messing the dark brown strands "I'm really proud of you, y'know?" She smiled.

"So am I of you." He replied softly.

'"Now I gotta go." She said before she could cry about her little grown up boy. "Don't forget to eat!"

"I won't!" He shouted as she walked away. "Enjoy yourself!"

"Oh, and I'n going to Hannibal's house for dinner later, bye!" She finally said fastly before Colin could complain.

"YOU'RE WHAT-"

▫️

A roaring engine of a scooter stopped in front of his house. He could recognize that sound anywhere. Hannibal Lecter had pre cooked most of his meals, and hushed towards the door as soon as he heard her arrive. He was more nervous than he expected to be, once again, that cold feeling inside his stomach took over him. Untied the apron wrapped around his waist, and brushed his hair to the right, in order to look adequate in front of her, but nothing seemed good enough.

Took a deep breath, stuffed his chest, still a bit nervous, then opened the door, adjusting his posture to the charmy, serene usual one. But his jaw almost dropped at her sight, after all her simple, short, sequin purplr dress that resembled the 20s, made him speechless, her pink gloss on her lips and that smile that lightned the whole town, send shivers through all his body. "You're... I mean, your outfit....you..." he mumbled, internally panicking about what was happening to him, what kind of spell she cast in his body to cause such submission towards her astonishing figure.

"You look good too." She said a bit shy, chuckling at his adorable reaction. "But still too formal."

Just then he returned to reality, blinking twice. "Am I?" He questioned, looking at himself. The only difference Hannibal had was that he used a sweather this time, but besides, the shirt, his pants and shoes were still classic.

"I think if we just..." she gestured to his chest awkwardly. "May I?" Alice asked, he just nodded, clueless of what she was going to do.

She took a step foward and smoothly, with her delicate but hardworking hands, took off his sweather, sliding slightly up through his body, her hands briefly brushing against his chest, wich was suprisingly warmer and stronger than she thought. The unbearable touch and tension made his suspende his breath.

Once she removed the sweather, she threw it above her shoulder and carefully unbottuned one of the upper buttons of his shirt, to look more informal, but not careless either.

While she made that whole process he continued observing her, a mortal and pagan desire burning inside his soul.

Hannibal held her soft hands still close to his chest, and, with lusty, inflamable eyes, stared at her fragile, vulnerable ones, feeling the irrehular vibration of his heart with the palm of her hands.

"I..." she blushed embarrassed.

"Hum?" He questioned, completely hipnotized by her incandescent eyes. Her sweet smell made him high, he could stay lile that for hours, just admiring her beauty. The touch of her hands was heavenly, addicting.

"We should go or we'll be late." She told him, rushing fastly as a scared little rabbit.

He chuckled, as a predator staring at its' prey. He just couldn't resist to her.

They both left the house. He locked the door, and watched as Alice prepared her motorcycle.

"Use this." She gave him a dark blue helmet as she hopped onto the bike's seat, showing a slight sight of the blue shorts she had underneath the dress. "Now, dear passengers, SS. Mallory is ready to sail off, so please take your seats!" She joked pointing to the back part of the bike.

He glanced at the spot and then at her. She couldn't be serious. "We can take my car-" he tried to change her mind.

"Come on, get on the bike!" She exclaimed, tapping the seat as if she called a dog.

He stared at her incredulous. But didn't have a better choice. He hated the fact that he would be willing do anything to please her. He incredibly wanted to spoil her, spoil her just so he could watch her smile, to see her satisfied, to be the one to please her....God, he had many of ideas of how he could please her.

Once again, why was he like that? Crossing his limits for a person? Decided to label it: Insanity.

▫️

Imagine Hannibal Lecter on the backseat of a old roaring engine scooter, holding for the sake of his own life to the seat as Alice Mallory sped up like a lunatic through the traffic.

Yeah, it was fun.

"If you keep holding yourself like that you're gonna fall!" She shouted while making a short curve that made him shake.

"And where should I hold myself to?!" He ibcreased the volume of his voice a bit irritated, he feared as he saw his life pass through his eyes when she almost bumped into a car that passed by.

Alice chuckled, stopped at a red light, and with a fast movement set his hand on her waist. "Me, silly."

The green light appeared and Alice speeded again, Hannibal, with the impact, had to hold tight her, almost hugging from behind, and, even shy at first, he enjoyed it later. E joyed how he could hold her close, to almost feel the warmness of her skin through the light fabric....Maybe he should take rides with her more often.

Or not, he'd prefer for them both to be safe instead.

When he realized they had arrived, Alice had already pulled up. She took off her helmet and shaked her head to organize her chestnut brown hair, unknown of how charming she looked while doing that, and chuckling when realized that Hannibal was staring.

"You never rode a bike?" She asked.

"Of course I did. I just haven't been on the backseat of one before." He explained, trying to disguise his amusement at her angelical figure. He was such a dork that night. "Besides, your speed was completely inappropriate-"

"Nuh-uh-uh" She made a no sign and placed her indicator finger slightly above his lips. "My bike, my rules." Hannibal smirked slowly, lingering his eyed up and down at her body. Whatever she was doing to him, he didn't want her to stop. "Now come on"

As they walked foward, Hannibal noticed some loud spanish music played in some sort of average party saloon, full of colored lightning and balloons. And, while Alice spoke with the security, his eyes glued on the large sign at the door.

"Bienvenido a Isabel's Quinceañera!"

Once Alice returned, he quickly questioned "Alice..may I ask, what kind of party is this?"

"A birthday party!" She said excited. "It's my friend's niece's quinceañera! Isn't it exciting??" She spoke radiant, so radiant that almost made him feel guilty of hating the idea.

"A 15 year old party?" He still couldn't believe she was being serious.

"Yeah, let's go!" She grabbed his hand, almost making him gasp and dragged him inside.

The saloon was a very modest one, with many balloons and a table with a cake on the center. The most fancy thing was the teen girl who dressed in a huge princess style dress, besides that, it was quite a normal birthday party. No suits, no orchestra, no champagne...Hannibal Lecter had stepped out of his comfort zone.

The music blasted loudly, something like salsa, and people danced, talked in screams and laughed. It was just chaotic and fun.

"Señorita Mallory!!" A man with a large dark moustache walked towards her, his accent strongly latino. He hugged Alice and smiled. "It's been so long since we've seen you! So glad you came!"

"I am also so happy to be here Antonio. Feliz cumpleaños a Isabel." She replied kindly.

"Where's little Colin?"

"Had to study, but also whished happy birthday to his friend and a good patty to all of you."

"Make sure to take some food for him later, si?" He assured, than tapped her shoulder with empathy. "I'm really sorry about what happened to your sister. Bree was a blessing to all of us. Una tragedia lo que pasó. (A tragedy what happened.)"

"That's very kind of you, thanks." She said bittersweetly.

Just then, Antonio noticed the tall man by her side. "No creo ¿Tu novio? (I don't believe it, your boyfriend?)" He smirked, lifting his furry eyebrows.

"His name is Hannibal." She introduced, the doctor was going for a handshake but the man hugged him and tapped his back instead. "Hannibal this is Antonio, Isabella's father, also my friend Katia's brother."

"It is a pleasure to meet you." Hannibal said politely.

"Ay, que eres guapo eh (he's handsome eh) ¿Dónde encontraste a este chico, Alice? (Where did you find this boy?)" He joked. Even speaking many languages, Hannibal Lecter commited the mistake of not learning spanish, so he didn't understand a single word he said. Even the basic he knew, he couldn't understand by how fast Antonio speaked. "¡Hasta parece un hombre rico! (Even looks like a rich man!)" He laughed loudly.

Alice laughed along. Hannibal was still clueless, so he whispered to her "what is he saying?"

"Wait, you don't know spanish?" She asked him surprised.

"Isabel! Isabel, the pastel (cake), calm down hija!( daughter)." Antonio shouted, mixing languages "Lo siénto (sorry), just a second!"

Alice turned again to her partner ."I thought you knew every language in this world."

"I am fluent in lithuanian, german, english, italian, some japanese, danish, swedish, and french. " He explained carefully. She looked at him speechless. "But no. Not spanish." Alice bursted laughing. "I didn't know you were fluent in spanish either."

"That's the only language I know besides english. And only because Katia taught me." She explained. "I can't believe you know all these languages and not spanish, like...!" she continued laughing. "You americans live just by Mexico, and have all this influence but..." she chuckled finding ut hilarious. "Sorry, it's just funny to me."

"Are you done?" He couldn't get mad at her, the smile on her face was just...contagious.

"Don't worry, they also speak english, so they will understand you." She calmed him. "Wanna grab a drink? Before you ask, this is a 15 year old party, we are having pepsi." They approached a table where they could get a drink from a bowl with plastic cups, just as high school proms. Alice poured some for both of them, as Hannibal looked at the cups, disgusted. As Alice sipped she made a face. "Uh...that's definetely not pepsi" She forced a smile. "Summit Cola, yup." Hannibal was about to taste it when she stopped him. "Nope, you really don't want to put that inside your body, trust me." She took the cup from his hands and put it away.

Besides terrible drinks, there was still the energy, maybe they could still enjoy it. If only he didn't attract so much attention from the old ladies.

They surrounded them both, speaking fast compliments in spanish and attempting to touch him. The ladies dragged him back and forth, as Hannibal helplessly glanced at Alice across the saloon, asking for help in an unspoken language only they knew. She chuckled and he made faces but both smiled to each other most of the time. Luckily, a while later, Alice took him to another area away from the excited grandmas.

"I'm sorry." She said to him laughing. "They have never seen someone like you."

"Someone like me?" He asked intrigued.

"Yeah. You know, charming old man with movie star style."

"What do you mean by old-"

"ALICE MALLORY!!!" A voice interrupted screaming, interrupting Hannibal's question.

"OH MY GOD KATIAAAA!!!" She yelled back, and ran towards a woman who came towards then.

They hugged (still screaming), exchanging compliments about outfits and hair. Katia Rojas, Alice's best friend, was a charming dark haired lady with a particularly interesting golden tooth. Her arms were full of bracelets that jangled nonstop, and unlike Antonio, her english was more north american natured, avoiding spanish words.

"I am so glad you're doing better after..." The woman interrupted the sentence, tge subjecy seemed to hurt her as well. "Sorry."

"It's alright, I'm learning how to live with it." Alice said, just glad enough to finally see her friend.

"Ay, that's how I like!" She said excited. "I hope you have so much fun! Don't forget to take some snacks to Colin!" She reafirmed. "How I've missed you mi amiga (my friend)!" They hugged again.

"Oh, Katia, I wanted to introduce you to someone..." Alice could finally breath, away from her friend's tight hugs. "This is Hannibal." She gave a shy smile.

Katia looked at her, then at him, repeated the process and finally said: "When is the marriage because oh my God!!!" She gave little jumps, trying to support her friend. "¡Bienvenido a la familia, hombre! (welcome to the family, man/dude!)" She hugged him, and gave heavy taps on his back, almost as if she punched him. "If Alice chose you, we also choose you." She exclaimed brightly "Make yourself at home!"

"Thanks, that is very kind of you." He smiled politely, trying to cope with all that joyful people.

"Ooh, he has a sexy voice." she mocked him. "Alice cuidado (watch out) I have at least three single aunts here! You better hide him!" Katia joked and gave a loud audible laugh.

Indeed, Katia Rojas was the perfect friend for Alice, Hannibal couldn't imagine someone who would be a better fit. Both joyful, excited, extroverted, the lives of the party. But Katia was more confident, louder, and with no filter. She was funny tho, and made Alice happy, so he didn't mind her presence...for now.

"We need to find some time together so you can tell me everything!" Katia said to her friend.

"Sure will!"

"I gotta see Isabela now, she keeps saying that dress is itchy and wants to take it off, ay, these girls!" She sighed, waving with her hands. "Enjoy the party!" She shouted at last and ran after her niece.

Alice and Hannibal now seemed to have finally found a bit of peace within that enthusiastic crowd.

"I must say they are very...interesting people." He told her, trying not to sound offensive.

"Yeah, they can be a bit overexcited, I know. But that's because they like you." She said.

Hannibal glanced at the messy party and multiple laughs, chats and lives. "Do you really think so?" He asked, containing some hidden joy, able to make Alice comfortable enough with his presence into her world.

"Oh, they really do." She chuckled. Suddenly, she stopped speaking. As if she listened to something with attention. "Do you hear this?"

A music played loudly, it was in english, maybe pop. He didn't know for sure what it was, not his style. "Music?"

"That's my favorite song!!! We gotta dance!" She pulled his arm.

A ballad started to play, it started slow and became agitated by time, the melody was pleasing and the voices matched it perfectly. Of course, it wasn't Hannibal's type of song he'd listen to, but Alice seemed to immersed into it, so thrilled to join that sensation.

"I am not a good dancer." He made up an excuse.

"You don't need to be." She placed one of his hand in her hips and the other holding hers in the air, similar to a waltz position. Alice started to mutter lowly the melody, his gaze stuck on hers, by how her flushed pink cheeks marked her face when she smiled to him.

"There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Fernando..." the song played as she tried to do matching steps with him. One, two, foward, two steps back, increasing the speed as the music reached the chorus. "Not bad." She teased.

"Not bad?" He smirked charmingly.

"What else can you do?" She dared.

As she spoke those words, he spinned her gracefully, only to receive her in his arms again, her back against his large chest, hot whispers on her ear "oh, darling, you have no idea yet."

"Show me." She whispered back, causing an eletric chain run all over his body.

Spinned her again, their steps now in a full motion to the agitated part of the song. With a strong hand placed at her back, he pulled her body more against his, her breath turned sharp, her heartbeat speeded.

"WOOO! GO ALICE!" Katia shouted from some distance with her family. Other couples had joined the dance floor, it was a place now full of excitment, music and movement.

Alice sang the song in a shy way, and, noticing Hannibal's staring, she stopped. He gave a sweet smile to her and hummed the melody along, Alice flushed, finding his velvet voice instantly lovely and addicting. She chuckled softly and he gave a half smile, completely melting over her.

For a moment they stood there, in silence, with the song playing in the background, the people cheering and that huge mirrorball that glistened above them. The more she looked into those angel eyes of his, the more she sunk into them, there was something in them that just gave her butterflies, maybe it was his soft expression, full of benevolance and genuine admiration, or something deeper that sparkled into that dark brown, she wasn't sure.

"Alice..." He muttered, she felt her whole body tense, anxious, his gaze at her lips.

"Yes....?" She asked, feeling her heartbeat increase, already remembering the kiss from last night.

"You..."

"Yes...?"

"...Are stepping on my foot. It hurts."

Just then she looked down, realizing what she had done, then stared back at him, his face twitching with pain. Quickly took her foot away. "I'm so sorry!"

When they realized, the song was over. Alice and Hannibal got out of the dance floor, and recieved many good compliments, well, mostly he did. People loved him, and he didn't mind, instead, liked to be flattered, even though his most important feedback would always be Alice's.

"We should get going." Alice looked at her phone. "You still have a banquet to prepare."

"You are right." He almost forgot about Baltimore society's event.

Alice ran towards Katia, gave her multiple hugs and said goodbye, pormising to schedule one day to have coffee with her and properly chat. Antonio made sure Hannibal took many snacks for both Alice and him, also wished them a good night while winking. "You know what I mean, eh" the man grinned.

Alice, in a small act of courage, held his hand and left happily with her prince out of the Quinceañera, which turned out to be a success they both didn't expect.

Now, dinner.

▫️

They say every good dream doesn't last for long.

And that is true.

Even with an spectacular night full of dancing and chatting, now with Hannibal cooking, while Alice observed him admired, that dinner would bring the first of many storms in their lives.

"Is it ready?" She asked, able to smell the meat that came out of the fancy oven where he prepared it.

"Almost." He replied, now with changed clothes, in an elegant suit that adorned his large shoulders. The doorbell rang suddenly, the guests. "Just a moment." He told her as he received the people at the door.

As time passed many people, in a total of at least 10 guests of them arrived. All of them part of the elite of Baltimore, dressed elegantly, with sophisticated vocabulary and taste, all of them there for Hannibal's prestigious and well known cooking.

Some attempted to talk with Alice, the questions were similar most of the time. "Where are you from? What is your relationship with Dr.Lecter? Whose family are you from again?" Most of the time she tried to change the subject to avoid her poor origins and don't bury herself in lies. But it was hard, overwhelming actually, and the room seemed to shift by those strangers stares towards her figure, watching every movement, searching every flaw.

The warm atmosphere from Katia's party had vanished and was now replaced by a cold, frightning one. Hannibal was about to serve his dinner, already with the many dishes displayed on the table, when the doorbell rang once again.

"Oh, must be our special guests." Mrs.Komeda sudeenly said. "Answer it for us, would you Alice?" Of course she'd ask Alice to do it, the same way she would ask a maid.

But Alice didn't object against it, actually, it was better than standing there with them receiving critics and passive agressive attacks. She opened the door, without much enthusiasm, until she heard a familiar voice:

"Miss Mallory!" Once she looked up, she could recognize a friendly face.

"Franklyn!" She smiled welcoming him in, behind the patient was his notorious friend. "Tobias. Good evening to you both."

"What a delight to see you again, Miss Mallory." Tobias held delicately her hand and delivered a gentle kiss. "Or may I call you Alice?"

"I wasn't aware of your presence." A voice rised behind her, it was serious, and with an authoritary tone. Hannibal's expression towards both the gentlemen was dark and distinguish from his previous behaviour the whole night. Almost making her shiver.

"I took the opportunity to invite them." Mrs.Komeda interrupted with a satisfied smile, she had gained what she wanted, drama and free food. "Is there any problem?"

Alice could notice Hannibal's fake smile, clenching his jaw attempting to sound polite, but his eyes were stormy, slightly scary. "Of course not. I would just have preferred to be previously notified." He responded for pure politeness. "Good evening gentlemen, please join us."

Through Hannibal's whole speech, Tobias had his point of interest stuck on Alice, which caused the host slight annoyance hidden beneath a mask of manners. "Before we begin you must all be warned." Hannibal pointed out as the guests had finished applauding. "Nothing here is vegetarian..." he glanced slightly at his partner, with a gentle smile. "Besides Alice's meal of course." You could hear someone reacting to 'Aww' and some chuckles in the audience. Hannibal lifted his dark glass of wine in the air finally "Bon Appétit."

▫️

The veredictum was the same. Hannibal's cooking was fantastic. The guests savored it slowly, as a pure masterpice that melt in their tongue's slowly. Alice attempted not to care much about the amount of meat displayed, even though it was much more than she expected to be, a true carnage. But she couldn't change anyone's mind, and, as long as she didn't need to eat it, not going against her own ideals, it was fine.

For now, she enjoyed talking with Franklyn's and avoided critics from others. "I was never good in arts, like, painting, drawing, sculpting, this kind of stuff....I am terrible." He admitted in a funny tone. "But I do admire who has capacity with this." He showed respect. "You are a painter, aren't you, Miss Mallory?"

"Oh, yes, yes I am." She smiled noodding with her head. "And no need for such politeness, just call ne Alice."

"Got it." He seemed happy about her gesture to include him. "How does it work? Do you sell pieces or sign with some gallery?"

"That's a good question. Depends on how you'd like to work.... Some artists prefer to sell work individually, it gives more autonomy and full payment only to them." She explained to him, Franklyn seemed to pay attention very well to her words. "But it is way easier to become more popular and sell faster in galleries."

"I see... and what do you do now?"

"I..." she hesited. Alice realized she didn't sell a painting in a very long time.

"She is still working on a new collection." Hannibal covered her up. "An enlightning and distinct one."

"Wow, sounds amazing." Franklyn complimented. "You must let me see it once you finish it, Alice."

"Sure will" She smiled to him.

Alice's mind couldn't help but wonder how fast Hannibal could come up with answers like those, to have such an easy way to lie so naturally.

But her thoughts were interrupted by the mysterious Tobias "I must have to admire it as well. By the way, Alice, I have some new instruments in my store, I thought that maybe you'd be interested." He once again invited her. Hannibal cut his meat with a precisive gesture at once.

"Right...!" She exclaimed. "Of course, I just...I think I've lost your card...I'm sorry"

"That is no problem." Tobias quickly took another shiny card from the pocket of his suit. "Here. I always keep an extra one with me."

This time, when Hannibal lifted his arm to grab it, Alice did it faster. His eyes widened at her attitude. She put it on her purse so she wouldn't loose it.

"Thank you. I'll make sure to pass by." Alice replied, avoiding Hannibal's sudden repproving glance towards her.

"Please do." Tobias smiled satisfied at her as if she was his next prey.

Hannibal wasn't happy with the situation, he didn't know Tobias' intentions but they surely weren't good ones, and Alice? She was too naïve to notice anything, too kind. That is why he wanted to keep her by his side, to protect her from the cruel world out there. And yet she would be there, attempting to be friendly, accepting Tobias' invitations, chatting with Frank. It made Hannibal's blood boil.

Franklyn told a joke that made only her laugh, the other guests seemed bothered by his presence. He was an attention seeker, people pleaser, but failed to make a good impression, he didn't fit that environment. Which is why Mrs.Komeda invited him, she wanted to have her revenge for being rejected that day at the opera, wanted to embarrass Hannibal in front of the elite...and her plan was working very well.

"My sister and I used to fight all the time too, but in the end we'd always make amends." Alice told Franklyn in the middle of their chat. "She was so annoying." She chuckled.

"I wasn't aware that you have a sister." Tobias commented smoothly. "You should invite her to join us, sometime."

Alice tried to keep a normal smile and not let the sadness drown her into tears. Would Bree like that place? That crowd who judged every movement of hers?

"Unfortunetely, that wouldn't be possible... since my sister is no longer with us." She told him delicately.

The table turned silent suddenly. All the guests paid attention to what she said. Alice felt her face burn in shame.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry." Mrs.Komeda said, but didn't mean it really.

"I wish I had the right words...um... Please know that I'm here for you if you ever need to talk." Franklyn showed simpathy for her, Alice thanked him. Hannibal felt like vomiting.

"What did she die from?" Mrs.Komeda questioned.

Alice attempted not to be bothered by the question."She..." Alice sighed, it was hard to tell other people about that matter. "Um..." she tried to lower her tone so they wouldn't listen "...she was murdered..."

The whole crowd gasped and started to gossip about it, while furtively looking at her, with bitter tongues and toxic smiles.

"That is horrible." Tobias faked some sadness. "I am very sorry for your loss, Alice."

"How did it happen?" Mr.Komeda asked this time.

"Um..."Alice didn't want to explain. "It was on her way home, after a day of work."

Hannibal was conflicted in weather to stop that madness or not. "Mrs.Komeda I-" he was interrupted.

"Oh, so it was at night! She walked home alone at night? Pratically asked for it." Mrs.Komeda made an absurd comment. "She brought this on herself."

Hannibal noticed a sparkle of rage in Alice's blue eyes. Should he stop them or watch what her reaction would be? He wondered where her limits ended, where her rage filled her mind, until there was no possibly choice rather than violence. He couldn't simply be rude with those people, he had a reputation to keep, and Alice was the imprudent one to open up with them.

In an attempt to seek for comfort, Alice tried to reach for Hannibal's hand by her side, but he didn't hold hers. Instead, he put it aside delivering gentle taps on it, as a dog, and let her there. She became speechless, as her head ached with the multiple questions.

He wanted to see how far her kindess would go. He cared for Alice, but cared even more about his curiosity about her mind.

"...Still...I can't help but miss her." She tried to end the conversation on that matter, still shocked by Hannibal's act.

"I can't imagine how you feel...when I lost my father, I..." Franklyn failed to speak, you could feel the grief in his voice. "Looks like the world is ending, isn't it?"

"Exactly." She felt comforted by his words.

"Just give it time, time heals." Another guest said.

"Get busy, don't think about it." One suggested careless.

"How long has it been?" Mrs.Komeda questioned.

"Some months now, 7 to 8 now, actually." Alice replied.

"Oh, she's been dead for a while now, get over it." Mrs.Komeda said suddenly, Alice dropped the fork in her hands. "Someone's lacking ettiquete manners..." she whispered to another guest who giggled by her comment.

Alice felt the whole dining rooms spin, her stomach ache. Her eyes closed for second, trying to take in those sick sentences in the air. She just wanted to hear that it would be alright, that what they said wasn't true, that her grief, her sadness was valid. But she didn't. She was surrounded by people who couldn't care less for her, people who mocked, made fun of her, and they continued gossiping, laughing, looking at her direction as if she was a freak show, an oitsider, while Alice slowly died.

And the one she hoped to save her, did nothing about it.

"Please, excuse me." Her voice sounded tremendously weak. "I don't feel very well."

Mrs.Komeda said something she didn't want to hear, Alice escaped the dining room, walking alone towards an empty area to breath.

Hannibal then, after the conclusion of his test. Was about to go after her, when his guests contained him. "What about dessert?"

Alice relied her back on a wall, her tears scrolling through her cheek with bloodshot eyes and a broken heart. Until a handkerchief appeared in front of her.

"Han-" The person she imagined to be wasn't there. "Franklyn?"

"Sorry...just thought you needed some help." He spoke a bit embarrassed.

'Thank you, that's very kind." She accepted his gesture and dried her tears, Franklyn relied his back on the wall by her side. "But you're loosing the feast-"

"They shouldn't have said that to you." He commented. "That was cruel." Alice sighed. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I wouldn't throw a fit and embarrass Hannibal." She explained.

"You really care for him, don't you?"

She nodded silently. "He is... very special to me."

"He really seems like a good guy."

"He is." She smiled briefly, but then recalled what Hannibal did. She wasn't so sure about that anymore. "And you are too, Frank." She told him. "Thanks."

"Oh, that's nothing." He smiled awkwardly.

"I need to retribute." She said now well humored.

"You really don't." He chuckled.

"I insist." She smiled. "Can you meet me at Tobias shop in two days? I'll give you something."

Franklyn blushed, no one really cared to give him any presents or meet him, so that was new and actually very nice to him. "If you insist..."

"There you are." A velvet voice came from behind them. The elegant figure of the night's host appeared. "Dinner is over." He announced. "You should go home, Franklyn." Hannibal pratically shoved him away and Alice felt slightly offended by it.

"My bad. I'll see my way out." Franklyn still smiled. "See you two! Dr. Lecter. Alice." He said sweetly. "Good night."

"Good night, Franklyn." Alice replied with kindness.

Once the last of the guests left, it was time for the storm to arrive. Alice offered herself to help him with the dishes.

"What were you speaking with Franklyn?" Hannibal said, while his hands delicately washed a plate covered in soap.

"He was just checking up on me. If I was doing alright. Very kind of him." Alice simply said, her smile had vanished completely.

He sensed the change in her attitude. Feared of what she could be possibly thinking. "I hope you are not considering a friendship with him." He said calmly.

"And why not?"

"Hence he is my patient, I would prefer to restrict our relationship to a professional one."

"That is not a matter, he will be my friend, not yours." She replied sharply. He bothered himself with her behaviour.

"Franklyn wishes me as his friend." He declared to her. "He is using you as a mean to reach me." Maybe he was right. But Alice didn't want to think of that kind man that way, and she was too annoyed with Hannibal to give him any reason on the matter.

"Or you're wrong about someone who is truly kind and considerate. Unlike the rest of your friends." She said bitterly, finishing one of the dishes.

He stopped washing one of the glasses, observing her serious, she had a cold expression, completely twisted from what he saw at the quinceañera hours before. "Is something wrong?"

"You tell me." She put a dish away with strentgh, making noise.

"Alice." He held her hand, making her stop what she was doing. It was incredible how their touch could be electrifying even if they didn't wish it to be.

She sighed, her fists tightly closed. "Why didn't you stop them?"

"Who?"

"Your guests. From saying those things." Alice looked at him, as if she attempted to kill him just by the coldness in her blue eyes. "About Bree."

"I am sorry if they made you uncomfortable-"

"I wasn't just uncomfortable, Hannibal, I was insulted in that table, not just me, but my sister as well." Her voice tone raised. He has never seen her that way. "But you didn't do anything." She trembled. "Just watched as they destroyed me."

"That was not my intention. You also did not respond to them." He defended himself.

"How could I?" She told him frustrated, stepping away from him. "10 of them against me, the odd girl at dinner, who is clearly not on their level. On your level."

"You are not odd, please don't say that-"

"But I felt that way tonight." She confessed. "They kept gossiping in front of me, laughing, mocking, treating me as nothing." She spoke fastly, with brief pauses to breath with anxiety. "And the only one who should've done something to calm them down, didn't do anything!"

"What did you wish me for to do?" He cleaned his hands on a fabric, his tone increased so she could pay attemption to him. "To argue with them? To start a fight?" He lifted his chin up, the perfectly sculpted jawline now in an intimidating aspect. "That would be imprudent-"

"You dropped my fucking hand!" She shouted with all the strentgh in her lungs, the kitchen reverbered the sound in their ears as sharp as blades that stabbed them through. "What I was supposed to do with that?"

"Please, calm down." Hannibal muttered, trying to approach her, but she walked around, shaking her head in negative, in an impassive mannerism.

"I don't know any of these people! They are all strangers to me!" Her face became red by the screaming. "I was out of place, insulted, and you wouldn't even help me!"

"That is simply not true." He didn't want to fight with her, why did they have to do that? Why did she insist on arguing with him? He didn't mean any bad he was just...intrigued. She should've fought them, not him.

"And when people treat me right, you just act so weird!" She exclaimed. "Like you did to Franklyn just now!"

"I already explained why I did that."

"What about Tobias?" She questioned. "It just takes one word from him and you turn into this..." she pointed to him "...strange person! Another side of you comes out from nowhere."

"...Another side?" He paralyzed, remembering doctor Du Maurier's words.

"At the opera you took his card from me, this time you were about to do the same." She recalled clearly.

"I was just putting it away for you."

"We both know that's not true."

"You barely know him. Why fight with me because of someone you don't even know?"

"Because sometimes it feels like I don't know you at all!" She screamed at last. A creepy silence came over them. At this point, Alice's cheeks were covered in tears. Her throat was sour from screaming. "At Katia's party you seemed like the sweet, gentle man I know. They treated you right, you treated me right." She explained, trying to calm the breath in her lungs but failed miserably. "But when we came back to your house, received these people..." she shaked her head slowly, completely disgusted "This mask of... pride... and luxury, covered you completely."

"Alice please..." he felt broken to see her that way. That wasn't his intention, God, that's not what he wanted, he just wanted...her.

"You don't even remember last night! Or prefer not to remember it!"

That's when it hit him. He did something last night. She just confirmed it. And yet, he couldn't remember it.

Hannibal Lecter never felt so frustrated before.

"What happened last night?" He asked in a hesitating tone. Alice clenched her jaw, she thought he was lying, that he was playing her.

Sbe couldn't scream anymore, instead, her sapphire blue eyes, all teary from the crying, met his helplessly. "...what am I to you?"

The question made his heart stop, his body freeze.

"You're..." he couldn't finish the sentence.

That's when Hannibal came to the conclusion: he didn't know.

He didn't know what they were, what he did that night or what he felt for Alice. For the first time in so long he felt clueless.

"...As I expected." Alice muttered, not giving him any more chances. Grabbed her purse. "I already have too many problems to deal with, Hannibal." She said coldly. "As my previous therapist you know that very well." She added finally.

"Please, Alice, let's sit down and discuss this, maybe-"

"No." She cut him off. "This wasn't right from the beginning, I should've known."

"What are you saying?" His eyes widened, a sudden fear grew inside his chest.

"I...don't want to see you now." She told him finally. "And I don't know when I will want to, either." He could almost feel how hurt she was just by the way she glanced at him. "Maybe you should get back to your world, and I go back to mine. That's how things are supposed to be."

"Alice-" He tried to speak but she closed the door at once, the sound immediatly shutting down any other protest against it.

It is unclear to establish what was Hannibal's reaction when Alice left him. Perphaps at first, he felt betrayled, and, in an urge to destroy everything. But he was smarter, wiser than that. No, he felt a hidden anger. It was a killing rage. A murderous one that filled his veins. The feel that he felt towards Alice consumed him into a lovely sensation but also corrupted him into this possessive, addicting objective.

He couldn't just let her go.