desire OC X HANNIBAL LECTER

- 10 -

The next morning, Litai woke up in bed alone. She blushed, recalling the previous night's events, and hid herself under the velvet duvet cover.

Meanwhile, Hannibal was downstairs in the kitchen, happily preparing breakfast. His mood was buoyant, heightened by the call he received earlier from Will. Will had called in a panic, saying he had thrown up an ear. Hannibal knew exactly whose ear it was—the ear of one of the victims of the love letter murderer, which he had cleverly placed in Will's stomach.

Litai was blissfully unaware of the intricate web of manipulation Hannibal had spun around Will. Over time, Hannibal had steadily eroded Will's mental state, planting seeds of doubt and guilt, leading Will to question his own sanity. Hannibal had orchestrated events so meticulously that Will eventually believed he was responsible for the murders, convinced he had committed them in some twisted tribute to Litai.

That morning, Hannibal had successfully forced Will to call Jack Crawford and confess to the murders, saying he had killed those three men. As a result, Will was now sitting in prison, ensnared by Hannibal's machinations. Hannibal was eager to share this tragic irony with Litai, relishing the control he had over both of them.

Litai, still nestled in the warmth of the bed, heard footsteps approaching. Hannibal entered the room, carrying a tray laden with a beautifully arranged breakfast—scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, and freshly squeezed orange juice.

"Good morning, Litai," he said with a warm smile, setting the tray on the bedside table. "I thought you might like some breakfast in bed."

She smiled back, still feeling the blush on her cheeks. "Thank you, Hannibal. That's very thoughtful of you."

As she began to eat, Hannibal sat beside her, watching her with an intensity that made her heart race. "I have some news," he said, his voice smooth and measured.

Litai looked up, curious. "What is it?"

"It's about Will," Hannibal began, savoring each word. "He called me this morning, quite distressed. He believes he's responsible for the recent murders."

Litai's fork paused midway to her mouth. "What? That can't be true. Will would never do something like that."

Hannibal nodded, a look of feigned concern on his face. "I know, it's shocking. But he was so convinced, he even called Jack and confessed. He's in prison now."

Litai's eyes widened in horror. "No, there must be some mistake. Will isn't capable of such violence."

Hannibal placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I understand how hard this is to believe, Litai. But sometimes, people are capable of things we never thought possible, especially when they're under immense stress. He vomited the ear of one of the victim Tai."

She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "I need to see him. I need to know the truth."

"Of course," Hannibal said gently. "But for now, try to eat something. You need your strength."

Litai nodded, though her appetite had vanished. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong, but Hannibal's calm demeanor was oddly reassuring.

As she nibbled on her breakfast, Hannibal silently reveled in his victory. He had masterfully orchestrated the downfall of Will Graham and now had Litai firmly within his grasp. The irony of it all only made his triumph sweeter.

"Come to me," Hannibal said softly, opening his arms to her. Litai, seeking comfort and solace, buried herself in his embrace, her tears soaking into his shirt. As she wept, Hannibal's face twisted into a victorious smirk. He had done it. Everything he wished for was now within his grasp, crying for help and seeking safety in his arms.

"It's okay to feel betrayed, Litai," Hannibal murmured, holding her close. "In the end, Will was sick. Perhaps he didn't even know what he was doing. Love can be a terrifying thing. When someone falls too deeply in love, they can do things they never imagined possible, horrific things."

Litai clung to him, her sobs gradually subsiding as his words seeped into her consciousness. His voice, so calm and soothing, made her feel safe despite the turmoil inside her. Hannibal continued to stroke her hair, his touch gentle but his thoughts anything but.

"Will was a victim of his own mind," Hannibal continued. "It's tragic, really. He couldn't control his actions, driven by a love so intense it consumed him. But you, Litai, you are strong. You will rise above this."

Litai pulled back slightly, looking up at him with tear-streaked cheeks. "But why, Hannibal? Why would he do such a thing? He was always so gentle, so kind."

Hannibal sighed, his expression one of practiced empathy. "Sometimes, the mind can play cruel tricks. What we see on the surface can be very different from what's lurking beneath. Will's love for you became an obsession, and that obsession drove him to madness."

She nodded slowly, absorbing his words. "I just... I can't believe it. I thought I knew him."

"You did," Hannibal reassured her. "You knew the best parts of him. But sometimes, even the best of us have darkness hidden deep within. It's not your fault, Litai. You mustn't blame yourself."

She leaned into him again, finding a strange comfort in his presence. Hannibal's heart beat steadily beneath her ear, a stark contrast to the chaos of her thoughts.

"We'll get through this together," Hannibal promised, his voice a low, soothing murmur. "I'll be here for you, every step of the way."

As she listened to his words, a part of her wanted desperately to believe him. To trust that everything would be okay. Yet, deep down, an unease lingered, a small voice whispering doubts that she couldn't quite ignore. But for now, in Hannibal's arms, she found a fleeting moment of peace, unaware of the dark truth that lay beneath his comforting facade.

A wolf masking as a sheep. That is how others would describe Hannibal Lecter if they truly knew his intentions. To him, however, he saw himself as a loving man whose obsession was justified by his desire to give Litai everything she deserved—and that was simply him. He loved her, adored her, and cherished her deeply.

In the quiet aftermath of her tears, Hannibal's thoughts wandered. His gaze drifted over Litai's form, still nestled against him, seeking solace. To the outside world, he was a respected psychiatrist, a paragon of empathy and understanding. But beneath the surface, his mind was a labyrinth of darker desires and calculated manipulations.

He believed that everything he did was for her benefit. In his eyes, Will's downfall was a necessary sacrifice to ensure Litai's safety and happiness. She needed protection from the chaotic forces of the world, and who better to provide that than Hannibal himself?

As he held her, his fingers gently stroking her hair, he revealed in the closeness, the intimacy of the moment. The scent of her mingled with the faint aroma of the breakfast he had prepared, a blend of domesticity and control that he found intoxicating.

"Litai," he murmured softly, breaking the silence. "You deserve to be with someone who can truly understand and appreciate you. Someone who can keep you safe from the darkness that lurks in the hearts of men."

She looked up at him, her eyes red-rimmed and filled with a fragile trust. "I just... I want to feel safe again, Hannibal."

"And you will, my dear. You will," he assured her, his voice a soothing balm. "I will ensure that no harm ever comes to you again."

In that moment, she believed him. She wanted to believe him. The warmth of his embrace, the steadiness of his presence—it was all she had to hold onto in the midst of her grief and confusion.

Hannibal's thoughts, however, were a whirlwind of possessive triumph. He had orchestrated this outcome with meticulous precision, and now, Litai was his. His to protect, his to cherish, his to mold. The love he felt for her was as consuming as it was dark, a love that would stop at nothing to keep her close.