desire OC X HANNIBAL LECTER

- 6 -

They were seated in a cozy living room, Litai on a plush couch and Hannibal in a stately black armchair. They sipped on expensive wine that Hannibal had offered to celebrate their new working relationship.

"Do you have tattoos?" Hannibal inquired, noticing the ink on her arm for the first time. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed it earlier.

"Oh, yes, just on my arm. I love roses," she replied with a shy smile, her nose slightly flushed from the wine.

"Come here and take a look if you'd like," she offered, patting the space next to her on the couch.

Hannibal smiled inwardly and moved to sit beside her as indicated. She extended her arm, and he took it gently, examining the tattoo on her delicate skin. Several roses adorned her slim arm, each one meticulously inked. As he traced his finger over the petals, a shiver ran down Litai's spine. She savoured the warmth of his touch against her cool skin.

"You are a really interesting person, Hannibal. There is something so unique about you," Litai mused aloud, influenced by the alcohol. Hannibal still held her hand, his thumb tracing gentle circles on her skin.

"Is that so?" he replied in a soft, deep voice, leaning closer to her ear. "What makes you say that?" He moved a bit nearer, their knees brushing lightly. Litai blushed at the intimacy of the moment, a feeling she wasn't entirely used to.

"The way you approach everything with such elegance," she continued, laughing softly to dispel her slight embarrassment. "I could listen to you talk for hours."

There was a noticeable  tension between them, but not uncomfortable. Litai felt surprisingly at ease in Hannibal's presence, despite the unexpected intimacy.

"Oh, trust me, I feel the same way about you. Confident and charming," Hannibal replied, his hand still holding Litai's pale hand now resting on her thigh.

Litai blushed deeply, taken aback by the unexpected compliment. She looked away, flustered, but Hannibal gently lifted her chin with his free hand, turning her face to look at him.

"I like seeing this reaction when someone compliments you," he said, fully aware of the effect he was having on her. He knew her state of slight intoxication was playing into his hands. Hannibal didn't intend to take advantage of her; that wasn't his style. But he appreciated that she was more at ease, allowing him to touch her like this.

She was speechless, gazing at Hannibal with her doe eyes. He had to restrain himself for their mutual benefit. The innocence in her gaze stirred a deep longing in him. He desired to touch her, to love her as she deserved.

Her eyes, once fixed on his, drifted to his lips. She leaned in tentatively, unsure of his response. Despite Hannibal's distaste for her being under the influence of alcohol, he couldn't resist her closeness. He closed the gap between them, kissing her gently.

The kiss was passionate, yet tender. Though Hannibal wanted more, to continue and take her right there on the couch, he knew it wasn't right. He feared he would hurt her and ruin everything. So, after a while, he broke the kiss.

Litai glanced shyly away from him, her cheeks flushed. Hannibal gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"You should go to sleep. You're quite drunk," he said softly, his hand caressing her thigh.

Litai loved this type of touch, her expression giving it away.

"I'll call a cab," she replied.

"You can stay here if you like, in one of my guest rooms," he offered, confident she would accept.

"But I don't want to be a bother, especially since I'm drunk," she said, stifling a yawn as drowsiness washed over her.

"It's alright. Come with me, I'll show you to your room," Hannibal said, taking her hand and leading her to one of the spare bedrooms.

It was a huge room for a guest room. A big black bed was placed next to a large window offering a beautiful view.

Moonbeams danced on the leaves of the trees, and the little stars in the night sky whispered about a blinded girl in a killer's trap.

The night was unusually cold, making Litai shiver from time to time.

"Let me give you something to change into," Hannibal broke the comfortable silence and went to his wardrobe to pick something for Litai.

Meanwhile, Tai wandered over to the bed and ran her fingers along the silk sheets. Everything seemed so dreamy to her. Maybe it was because she was drunk and tired, or perhaps because she had kissed him.

His soft lips.

She recalled the kiss, thinking of how he had been gentle yet passionate. The more she thought about it, the more her mind wandered to a more needy side of her.

Hannibal returned after a few minutes, carrying a large white shirt—the same one she had slept in last time.

"Here you go, dear," he said, placing the shirt on the bed.

He now stood before her, towering over her. "Thank you," she said, looking at her feet.

She didn't understand why she acted this way. She was always confident and knew what to say, but not around him. He made her feel like a little kid, clueless about how to react in such moments.

"You are more than welcome." He took the fallen hair that covered her face and tucked it behind her ear. He didn't take his hand off her face. Instead, he cupped her cheek and smiled at her.

She was confused and didn't know how to react, yet she liked it. She leaned into his hand, closing her eyes slightly. There was no way she could deny her attraction to him.

He was the faceless man she dreamed of some nights. She didn't love him, but if he wanted to sleep with her, she would happily agree.

"Good night, Litai. Sleep well," he said, letting go of her. She missed his touch the second he let go.

"Good night, Hannibal," she said in a sleepy voice, watching him as he left the room and closed the door.

She then crawled into the comfortable bed and closed her eyes, letting her dreams take over. The night was quiet and peaceful.

Hannibal sat on his bed, his head in his hands, contemplating her. She drove him crazy. Her face, her body, and her personality were everything he ever wanted in a woman. His woman.

She was petite yet strong, and he loved that. He savored every moment with her. He needed her. He wished to grab her and hold her close, to protect her from the world.

He needed something that would make it easy for her to depend on him. In his twisted mind, he was already forming a plan that would make her run to him for help and comfort. And he would be there, ready to give it to her.