Trust // Hannibal Lecter (1)

dinner pt 2

Hannibal started to pour the wine but katrina informed him she didn't drink.

'oh?' Hannibal said putting the bottle down.

'I don't drink on esme duty and I'm always on esme duty.' Katrina didn't mind though. She said it with a smile. She took taking care of esme seriously and didn't care if that made her seem less fun or exciting to other 26 year olds, she had esme and she wouldn't risk that for a bottle of bubbles.

'I have sparkling cider I got for miss esme why don't we all enjoy some of that?' Hannibal offered.

'Yes!' esme said holding out her champagne glass.

'you can drink dr. lector, please don't let me stop-'

'hannibal please. And I don't mind at all.' He poured three glasses of sparkling cider and they cheers.

'gosh this weather.' Katrina said listening to the thunder.

'flood warning in the area. I think you two are staying the night.' Hannibal told her looking at his phone. No flood warning notification was viewed but katrina didn't have to know that.

'oh no, I'm sure we could-' but thunder struck again and again and esme yelled.

'please, I insist. These roads are dark and it is not safe to be out. Please stay the night. I have a spare room.' Hannibal insisted.

'thank you Hannibal. that's really sweet of you.'

'of course I will put clean sheets on right away.' With that he left.

'do I have to wear my dress to bed?' esme said looking it over.

'I think I have your sweats in the car from your playdate still... I could run out and you could change into that for bed?'

'that sounds better than sleeping in a disco ball.' Esme said and katrina pulled on her coat.

'alright, if I blow away out there call Harvey.' Katrina joked running out into the rain, the wind whipping around her.

'hannibal?' esme asked taking another sip of a special drink Hannibal had made for her... one to help her fall asleep through the storms loud sounds.

'yes dear?'

'I think kitty likes you.' She whispered.

'can you keep a secret?' she nodded. 'I like her too.' Esme smiled up at him before katrina came back in soaking wet but duffle bag in hand.

'got the goods.' She said handing it over. Dripping all over hannibals perfect home. 'I'm so sorry, can I have a towel I will clean this up.' She promised.

'nonsense. I will clean it up and get you something to wear as well. You are soaked.'

In more ways than one. Katrina thought as he walked away.

'I swear that girl can fall asleep anywhere.' Katrina said sitting down next to hannibal, her eyes wandered to the piano. 'do you play?'

'oh yes, it is a lovely instrument. Do you?'

'I used to... esme wants to learn so I'm going to get to start playing again...'

'whatever mommy dearest wants...' Hannibal said running his fingers through her wet hair.

'she loves esme. Sort of. She thinks she can buy her love and happiness and its great for esme. She gets everything she wants. She gets to do anything and everything and shes a wonderful girl not a brat like her mommy dearest so its okay.'

'but I have a feeling if you were not in the mix she would have ended up very different little girl.' Hannibal said and katrina leaned back into him.

'well lucky for her I'm not going anywhere... her mommy dearest wants her to learn French so I learn French. Mommy dearest wants her to learn violin, so I learn violin, she wants her to learn mandarin and german and sing opera, anything mommy dearest wants I'm expected to know how to do perfectly. Without training or any prior knowledge. At first her demands were... crazy and she would fire me weekly for not being perfect but then esme would cry or throw a fit and she would hire me back as if nothing happened... she makes me think murderous thoughts sometimes...' katrain said it as a joke but she was serious and Hannibal saw the darkness behind her eyes.

Hannibal opened his mouth to speak but katrina looked at him, her big eyes finding his.

'would you play me something?' she asked so sweetly.

'how about we play something together?' chop sticks. Katrina hadn't played that in years. Hannibal got up and katrina continued to play fur elise and bellas lullaby. When Hannibal returned he had two glasses of champagne.

'I think he deserve a night off. What do you say?' katrina looked to the hallway that lead to esmes guest room for the night, the girl was sound asleep...

'why not.' She smiled and brought the liquid to her lips. 'this is good.' She said taking another sip. 'I don't think wine usually tastes this good.'

'I am a connoisseur of sorts. Only the best for such exquisite guests.' She blushed and put her glass down. 'lets play something else. Lets make up our own tune how about?' she nodded and he sat directly behind her his legs surrounded her, his arms surrounded her as well. She leaned back into him as they played, it was a fun little piece, 30 seconds or so of their own creation.

'hannibal that was so much fun!' katrina said and he wrapped his arms around her. 'do you do that often? Make your own music?'

'No, never actually. But I thought it would be something fun to do with you.' He rested his chin on her shoulder and she stroked his arms that were around her. she could have sat in that moment forever.

Hannibal turned his head in the slightest to kiss her cheek but katrinas phone went off and she groaned. Hannibal slowly got up helping her up and she moved to answer it. It had went to voicemail by the time she found it.

'anyone important?' she looked at the missed message.

'just my brother. I will text him back, so he doesn't worry.'

'you are close with your brother?'

'Yeah, thick as thieves the two of us. Hes a lawyer actually, big wig over there gonna get his name on the door soon... I'm really proud of him. But hes over protective of me and of esme.' Katrina said texting him back. He replied immediately. Stay safe. She didn't tell him where they were staying only that they would be home tomorrow and not to worry.

'Esme talks about him a lot.' Hannibal remarked.

'yeah, she calls him uncle Harvey. Its sweet and wonderful and hes basically a big kid himself so they get along great!' katrina pulled at the sleeve of the sweater Hannibal gave her. she looked over at her phone as Harvey sent a picture of his new possible cat from a website he was looking at to adopt from. She smiled and noticed the time. 1:45.

'wow, look at the time.' She said flipping her phone around. 'its true what they say, time flies when youre having fun.' She laughed looking over at Hannibal he was watching her. he was smiling a half smile as he walked slowly towards her.

'of course...' he stood right in front of her now. 'if you would like, you may use my room tonight.'

'oh no, I'm couldn't besides I'm fine bunking with esme. She only sometimes kicks in her sleep.' Katrina said with a grin. Before she could over think it she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. 'good night hannibal. thank you for the lovely meal and for letting us stay. You are truly something else.'

He watched her leave, his fingers coming up to touch the spot her lips were.

'good night katrina. Sleep well.'