desire OC X HANNIBAL LECTER

- 8 -

Hannibal drove home after the investigation, still seething over how Litai had left him standing there. His anger was tempered by the knowledge that soon enough, Litai would be in his arms, seeking his help. Framing Will would be easy, and definitely more satisfying than simply killing him. Now that the idea of the killer sending love letters through his murders was established, Hannibal's plan was falling into place.

He couldn't wait to have Litai in his arms, but he knew he had to be patient. Another murder had to occur to solidify Will as the prime suspect. In the meantime, Hannibal would ensure that Litai saw him as her safe place, someone she could run to when things went wrong. Once Will was caught—and Hannibal was confident he would be—Litai would seek comfort in him, cling to him, and never leave.

Sitting in his office, he grunted, the image of Litai's tiny body in his bed consuming his thoughts. The mere thought of her made him hard. He despised how much he needed her, how she had become his weakness.

Unable to resist, he unbuckled his belt and unzipped his pants. "Dear Litai, what are you doing to me?" he muttered as he took himself in hand, stroking up and down. He threw his head back, quickening his pace, his imagination running wild.

He pictured her beneath him, breathless, her lips wet from their kiss, her neck marked by his passion.

-

Weeks flowed by like a turbulent river, carrying Hannibal and Litai closer together. Hannibal meticulously planned his final acts before framing Will. One particular target emerged: a young man in his 20s who had dared to catcall Litai. Though she hadn't mentioned it, Hannibal had found out and seethed with rage. Litai herself had brushed it off, but Hannibal was determined to make the man pay.

Knowing Litai's love for classical music and the cello, Hannibal devised a gruesome plan. He captured the man, treating his vocal cords before forcibly inserting a cello into his neck. Hannibal arranged the body on an orchestra stage, a macabre love letter to Litai.

Hannibal played the victim like a cello, raeveling in the inhuman sounds that echoed from the corpse. To Hannibal, it was a fitting punishment for the man's disrespect toward Litai. The scene was set for another grotesque performance in his twisted symphony, each note bringing him closer to having Litai entirely to himself.

She woke up, stretched her aching body, and felt an odd sense of foreboding. The feeling solidified when Jack Crawford called, seeking her help with another case.

Litai arrived at the scene, a beautiful orchestra stage marred by the presence of a gruesome corpse. The juxtaposition of beauty and horror struck her immediately.

"It's a cello," she said, walking down the stairs to where Hannibal was standing. "It's sad to see a cello used this way; I adore the sound it makes." She spoke blankly, ignoring the curious stares from the others.

Hannibal smiled inwardly, pleased she appreciated his "work."

"Perhaps another love letter," he said, now facing Litai. She looked as beautiful as ever, and he was sad she couldn't play the cello he had made for her as a precious gift.

"Maybe, but don't scare me. You know how much I love cellos. I don't want any killer to be in love with me. How unlucky that would be," she said, frowning at Hannibal's words.

Hannibal was displeased with her comment. She should know how lucky she was, not thinking she was unlucky. He believed he was the perfect man for her and it angered him that she still couldn't see it.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't let anyone take you from us, from me," he said, placing a hand on her back and bringing her closer. He could smell her expensive perfume—a blend of spice and sweetness that he could drown in.

Litai felt comfortable with Hannibal. As she got to know him better, she started to trust him fully. She actually loved his touch, perhaps more than she wanted to admit.

"By the way, where is Will?" she asked, glancing around the scene.

"He called this morning saying he would be late. He'll probably arrive after we leave," Hannibal replied, his gaze fixed on Litai. The height difference between them was significant, making her seem even more delicate in his presence.

"But don't worry, I called him myself, and he said he's alright," Hannibal added, wrapping his arm around her and drawing her closer. She always complied with his touch, a fact that pleased him immensely.

"Oh, okay," she said, her worry for Will lighter than it used to be. Hannibal had skilfully  ensured her detachment from Will over the past few days. While Will had fallen deeply in love with her, she was doing the complete opposite. The truth was, if it weren't for Hannibal, they might have ended up together. But now, there was no way that would happen. Hannibal would see to that.

"Hey, hello," a sweet voice called from behind them.

"Will, hello! How are you?" she said, giving him a warm hug as he approached.

"Now better, seeing you," he smiled at her. "Sorry for being late. I had to take my dog to the vet," he apologized, smiling sheepishly at Litai.

"Oh, it's totally okay. How is your dog?" she asked, genuinely caring for his dog. His dogs were always so pure and sweet.

"Hello, Will. It's good to see you made it," Hannibal said, his irritation barely concealed as Will continued talking to her.

"Oh yes, hello, Hannibal. Good to see you too," Will replied, offering a small smile. He then turned back to Litai. "The dog is fine, probably ate something bad," he said, watching as the worry disappeared from Litai's face.

"The case we're looking at is quite interesting, don't you think, Will?" Hannibal said, his irritation growing by the minute.

"It is. I studied it on my way here. A human transformed into a cello. Another love letter, perhaps," Will said, as Litai nodded in agreement.

"Don't you find it quite amusing that Litai loves the cello, and now we have this love letter in the form of a cello?" Hannibal said, chuckling a little when he saw Will's worried expression. "And isn't it quite odd that only someone who knows Litai well enough before this case would know her love for the cello, Will?" he added, staring directly into Will's eyes, planting seeds of suspicion among the others present.

"Hannibal, stop. Will has nothing to do with this. I trust him," she said, her face furrowing with concern. "It's bold to accuse him like that," she added, looking at him sternly.

Will stood speechless, trying to comprehend why Hannibal would even suggest such a thing. He would do anything for Litai, and harming her or anyone close to her was the last thing on his mind.

"I'm not accusing anyone. I'm merely pointing out an oddity. I mean no harm to Will; he's my dear friend as well," Hannibal said, giving them both a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Litai shook her head and walked away, frustration evident in her movements. Hannibal watched her leave, his mind already formulating his next steps. He would speak to her later, ensuring his influence over her remained strong. Will stood there, still baffled by Hannibal's insinuations, unaware of the deadly game being played.