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Litai felt a mixture of curiosity and anticipation as she took in the elegant dining room of Hannibal Lecter's home. The atmosphere was serene, yet there was an underlying intensity that she couldn't quite place—a feeling that Hannibal himself seemed to exude effortlessly.

As they settled at the table, the aroma of the Rôti filled the air, enhancing the already enticing ambiance. Litai couldn't help but admire the meticulous presentation of the meal. It was clear that Hannibal took pride not only in his culinary skills but in creating an experience that captivated all the senses.

"Thank you, Hannibal. This looks exquisite," Litai said sincerely, her eyes briefly meeting his before she turned to Will. "Will, how have you been? Any progress with the recent cases?"

Will's expression softened as he glanced at Litai. "It's been a challenging week, but we're making headway. Jack has been relentless as always," he replied with a hint of exhaustion in his voice. "How about you? How's your patient load?"

Litai nodded sympathetically. "It's been busy, but nothing I can't handle. Patients have their ways of keeping me on my toes," she chuckled lightly, grateful for the distraction from the grim realities of their professions.

Hannibal observed their interaction with a subtle smile, pleased to see Litai engaging in conversation. He admired her ability to balance empathy and professionalism, a trait he found both admirable and intriguing.

"You handle everything with such grace, Litai," Hannibal remarked as he took a seat opposite them. "It's a rare quality."

Litai blushed at the compliment, feeling a warmth spread through her cheeks. "Thank you, Hannibal. Coming from someone as accomplished as yourself, that means a lot," she replied sincerely, her eyes meeting his once more.

The dinner conversation flowed smoothly from there, covering topics ranging from art and literature to their shared experiences in their respective fields. Will and Hannibal found themselves drawn to Litai's insightful remarks and gentle demeanor, each finding her presence both calming and stimulating.

As the evening progressed, Litai found herself enjoying the company more than she had expected. Despite her initial reservations about Hannibal, she couldn't deny the charm and intelligence he exuded. Will, on the other hand, remained a steadfast presence, his concern for her well-being evident in the way he listened to her every word.

"I must say, Hannibal, this meal is truly exceptional," Litai complimented between bites of the perfectly cooked dish. "You have a gift."

Hannibal inclined his head graciously. "Thank you, Litai. Cooking is a passion of mine—a way to express creativity and precision."

Litai nodded thoughtfully. "It's evident in every bite. You've managed to turn a simple dinner into an experience," she said appreciatively, savoring the flavors.

As dessert was served—an elegant panna cotta with a delicate raspberry coulis—Litai couldn't help but reflect on the evening so far. Despite the underlying tension and the unspoken complexities between them, she found herself drawn to Hannibal's enigmatic persona. There was a magnetic pull, a dangerous allure that both intrigued and unsettled her.

Will's presence offered a grounding influence, a reminder of their shared history and mutual respect. She valued his friendship deeply, yet couldn't ignore the growing fascination she felt for Hannibal, whose charisma and intellect seemed to effortlessly command attention.

 "How did you two meet?" Hannibal started a new conversation while looking at Litai.

Litai ignored his gaze, focusing instead on Will's response. "We basically  grew up together. She's like a sister to me. We did practically everything together until—" he stopped mid-sentence, looking at Litai with a hint of anxiety.

Litai was highly sensitive to the tragedy that had occurred a few years ago. Although she claimed she wasn't, it was evident to everyone that she was.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up," Will muttered, looking at Litai with concern.

"It's okay, it's in the past. I'm fine with it now," she reassured him with a small smile, easing his anxiety.

"I hope I'm not intruding by asking what happened? Will never mentioned it, and perhaps discussing it could aid in resolving his mental state," Hannibal said. While he genuinely wanted to help Will, his primary motive was to learn more about Litai. He wanted to understand everything about his living target.

"I don't think it's a good idea to discuss this right now, Hannibal," Will interjected, clearly not wanting to dredge up painful memories for either of them.

"It's okay, Will. I think talking about it could be beneficial. It will help both of us in the long run," Litai said confidently, offering Will a reassuring smile.

Hannibal was pleased that Litai was willing to share her past. His interest in her was growing into an obsession. He watched her intently, wishing she were his, not out of love, but because he found her endlessly fascinating and amusing. He wanted her as his toy.

Litai took a deep breath and began her story. "It happened when Will and I were on vacation, camping. Everything was fine until one night when Will was out of town for shopping," she paused, taking another deep breath. "Someone broke into our camp and kidnapped me. They tortured me and forced me to eat raw human flesh. If I refused, they would beat me or do even worse things. I was confined in a small box, barely able to move. I endured this for a week and a half before the police found me, with Will's help. I went through extensive therapy and withdrew from Will and everyone else." She finished her story, her face pale from reliving the traumatic memories.

The room fell silent as Hannibal absorbed the new information. For a moment, he felt a pang of sympathy for her. Will watched Litai, trying not to dwell on the horrors she had endured.

Hannibal was about to say something when Litai suddenly began to breathe heavily. The trauma hit her hard without warning, and she started panting, trying to catch her breath. Hannibal quickly ran to her side, grabbing her and attempting to calm her down. Overwhelmed by the stress, she collapsed into Hannibal's arms. Will, standing nearby, panicked. He feared she might injure herself or not wake up. Though he hesitated to admit it, he felt something profound for Litai, and seeing her unconscious in Hannibal's arms intensified that feeling.

"She had a panic attack. She should be fine. Her breathing is calm now. I can have her sleep in one of my guest rooms and check on her to ensure she's okay. You should go home and rest, Will," Hannibal said, pulling her closer.

"Thank you, Hannibal, for taking care of her," Will said gratefully.

As Will left, Hannibal returned to the room where Litai was now sleeping. It was late, and he knew she wouldn't wake up anytime soon. He relished the opportunity to have her stay and decided against putting her in the guest room as he had told Will. Instead, she lay in his own bed.

He watched her sleep peacefully. The sight of her in his bed made him take a deep breath. She appeared so fragile, and he knew he could easily kill her now. But he refrained because Will knew she was staying with him.

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