Her protectors

10

That night after finishing three bottles of wine with Hannibal and Will.
Ella laid on the couch as she watched Hannibal's car lights get duller as he drove away from the house.
She wanted him to stay but he had to go for an early appointment only a few hours away.
She sat up and ran her hands on her arms.
She looked around before checking to make sure the door was locked.
It felt less comfortable after everyone had left.
There was a chill rushing through her that wouldn't go away.
She walked to Will's room. Hoping he also couldn't sleep.
She opened his door and looked at his bed through the darkness to see him fast asleep.
She walked to his bed.
"Will" she whispered a few times before pulling back his duvet.
She slipped under them and in an instant she felt so warm.
She looked at his back before cuddling into his sheets.
In a few seconds, she fell into a deep sleep and was unbothered by her usual night terrors.

The next morning Will turned over in bed before letting out a groan as he started to wake up.
He opened his eyes before feeling his brows furrow as he saw Ella next to him fast asleep.
He looked over at his clock before looking back at her.
"Ella?" he placed a hand on her arm and shook her gently.
Why was she in his bed?
What happened last night?
It was all a blur.
He caressed her face before sitting up.
She looked so peaceful and that made him see her true beauty.
He got out of bed and walked away leaving her to get much-needed extra sleep.

An hour passed as Ella walked out to the kitchen as Will placed simple scrambled eggs on two plates with two pieces of toast accompanying them.
She looked at him.
"Whats all this?" she asked.
He looked at her.
"I woke up early.
Thought I would make you breakfast in bed but you woke up on your own" he said.
She smiled.
"Do you have work today?" she asked.
"No," he said.
They looked at each other.
"Did you sneak into my bed last night?" he asked.
She looked into his eyes.
"Yes.
I couldn't sleep.
I was so cd and uncomfortable by myself.
I'm sorry if I crossed a boundary" she said.
"You haven't.
I just was curious" he said.
"Sleeping next to you made me feel safe.
I had no nightmares either which was nice" she said.
"I'm ok with you making that into a habit" Will said.
"Really?" she asked.
He nodded.
"It's hard to believe but my need to keep you safe hasn't died down," he said.
She walked over to him.
"It doesn't need to.
I'm dependent.
You know that.
Hannibal knows that and without the both of you, I'm a ball of paranoia and fear.
It's finished.
But it doesn't feel over when I'm alone" she said.
He looked at her as she placed her hands on his shoulder.
"It's going to be hard to not have you around after Thursday," he said.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
She looked up at him.
"Hannibal wants you to be with him again.
We spoke about it yesterday.
I'm not the biggest fan of the idea but it is both of us keeping you safe so it's understandable" he said.
"You'll visit right?" she asked.
"Every day," he said.
She smiled as their eyes met.
He looked at her lips for a second before looking down.
It wasn't the right time yet.
But he wanted to.
He wanted her.