Lurid

"You're not wearing your perfume." Heavy ambiance blankets the office, encompassing our leather chairs. A simple, yet convincing suggestion to calm the atmosphere after a stressful day of hovering over Will's mild mannered instability. A few candles glaze our skin in liquid gold, flickering with life. The silence around us ripples with our soothing breath, welcoming the end to a long day.

Heavy shadows mask his angular features. Looking through the darkness, were it not for the glint in his ombre eyes, I'd think I were looking at a corpse. Not to say being comforted by him gave any more warmth then what the dead could provide.

He gives what he wants, and takes it all the same.

Like a cord one would slowly tug, thread by thread, fraying his suit at the edges until the clothes he wore were in shreds. Only then would he reveal the antlers beneath.

As time leads on, new horns seem to grow, and another thread pooled at his feet. But perhaps it's just the shadow, showing what Will has designed.

Blaze reflected in my eyes, I remember back to our first meeting, the chimes ringing in my ears as I struggle my way to the office, already dreading my tardy nature. My chief waiting with two of the building's most popular items of conversation. Will Graham and Psychologist Hannibal Lecter.
Had I not been so rude that day, I may never have found my way here.

During our last meeting, it was almost like a private joke between us. Only, I'd never been the person reflecting back in his eyes, regaurdless how intensely they poured over my hide.

Wide-eyed subtly was never a strength of mine, to hide it even in his shadowed office would be purposeless. I've grown to understand the twitch in his ear, the wrinkle in his nose. And to fear the knife of his smirk and the shine in his eyes.

"What can I say? Even your blatant permission feels like a forgery for the assault on your senses. I wouldn't want to offend you Dr. Lecter"

"A shame. It fit you quite well."

"I'm flattered"

Silence falls between us, comfortable only because it's with him. The shadows licking our skin brims in his eyes, translating his thoughts in an encrypted language only he understands.

"You're wearing something new."

"I suppose I am." Like a Hound to its dinner, the scent of blood cracks this evenings conversation.

"May I ask what it is?"

Suddenly, the beating in my ears becomes familiar once more. A spark, a light Hannibal seems to notice. My fire acknowledged simply by the bob of his throat.

"It's a little embarrassing- but I'd thought you'd recognize it."

The veins in his hand flex, punctuating the silence I leave with him.

"Being an ex-doctor, I mean. It's supposed to smell of blood. Though I can't say it's worked too well."

The brown leather beneath my legs ruffles as I squirm to my left. The perfume settled pleasantly on my neck was not my first idea as a topic for todays session.

"Blood?" His legs cross as he seems to lean back deeper into his chair. A glint of light from outside the black tapestry window, parallel to us, catches off the tip of his smartly shined shoes.

"Quite carnivorous, the scent of blood. Often used under more ravishing conditions." His finger taps at his thigh.

"Tell me Miss Y/n, are you trying to attract someone?"

"Not..attract. Attract suggests a childish attempt at catching someone's attention. Like- like a school girl twirling her hair to catch a boys eye."

"School girls are usually quite innocent. Children simply looking for companionship with their peers. Do you see yourself as an innocent Miss Y/n?"

"No." I chuckle at the thought.

"Seduce then."

I re-position myself against the chair. "I'd.. consider that more accurate."

"You have dangerous taste."

"It seems we have that in common."

"..Miss Y/n, are you attempting to Seduce me?"

"Huh."

"Did I say something worth your thought?"

"You identify that I have a taste for dangerous men, then ask if im coming on to you."

I pause, the answer obvious since the moment we met. But now would be the first vocal admittance.

"Are you a dangerous man, Dr. Lecter?"

His eyes claim the entirety of the years cruor in nothing more than a glance. It reminds me of the way he looked the day we met. Curious,
and Hungry.

"Danger is a perception. To a mouse, a lazy house cat is dangerous."

"And what are you Hannibal? Because we know you're certainty no house cat."

The shadows crowning his features shift at the use of his name. "I am human. No more, no less than you are.

"But you're not just any person, are you?"

"I'm whatever you need me to be."

"What if I needed you to be dangerous?"

"If that's what you ask of me."

"If I didn't know any better Dr. Lecter, I'd say you'd like me to seduce you."

"I'd like to know what I am to you."

"To stop it?..Or encourage it?"

"Depends on your awnser."

"It seems a little early in this relationship to be seducing anyone, doesn't it? It is only our third meeting. Perhaps, another time."

"Another time then."