desire OC X HANNIBAL LECTER

- 14 -

What could possibly go wrong in the life they had meticulously crafted?

Litai and Hannibal appeared to have it all. They loved each other deeply, their connection seemingly unbreakable, a bond that transcended ordinary relationships.

And Will? He was locked away, a scapegoat in a diabolical scheme, unable to pose any threat from behind bars.

-

But that one morning changed everything. 

Will Graham, slated for transfer to a different prison, managed to escape. 
The news spread like wildfire, dominating television broadcasts, newspaper headlines, and trending across social media platforms.

Litai was among the first to be informed, receiving a personal call from Jack Crawford, who urgently requested a meeting with her.

Now, she sat in Jack's office, the cup of coffee provided by his secretary growing cold in her hands. She was told Jack would be late. Each passing minute felt like an eternity, the weight of anticipation pressing down on her.

After an agonising thirty minutes, Jack finally arrived, his expression grave as he took his seat across from Litai.

"Do you know where he could be?" Jack asked, sounding tired as he briefly put his head in his hands before looking up at her again. Litai noticed how different he seemed. Usually, Jack was calm and balanced, but now he looked completely stressed out.

"No idea, really," Litai replied, shrugging her shoulders as she tried to think of any places Will might go. "Did you check his house to see if he went there?"

"Yes, we checked his house, but he hasn't been there," Jack said, starting to pull himself together. "We think he might come to you. He believes you're the only one who could help him."

Litai felt a wave of guilt. She felt sorry for Will. "I live with Hannibal now," she said, watching Jack's face closely.

"You're in a romantic relationship with him, right?" Jack asked, making a note about them living together. Since there hadn't been many recent cases, he hadn't seen much of Litai or Hannibal to know about their personal lives.

"Yes, for about four months now," she replied, feeling a bit skeptical about why Jack was asking. "Does Hannibal know about Will's escape? I haven't seen him this morning yet."

"I called him right after you. He said he had some issues with a patient," Jack explained.

Litai took a sip of her now cold coffee, trying to process everything. "So, what do we do now?"

"We need to find Will before he does something drastic," Jack said firmly. "He's desperate, and desperate people can be unpredictable."

"Do you think he might come here?" Litai asked, feeling a mix of hope and fear.

"It's possible. We have to be ready for anything," Jack replied. "If he reaches out to you, let us know immediately."

Litai nodded, feeling the weight of the situation settling on her shoulders. "I understand. I'll let you know if I hear from him."

Jack gave her a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thank you, Litai. We're counting on you."

As she left Jack's office, Litai couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Will was out there somewhere, and she had no idea what he might do next. She just hoped that, somehow, they could find a way to find him before it was too late.

- 

As Litai drove home, she opted for her own residence instead of Hannibal's, hoping to calm her nerves. 

She played jazz softly in the car, the soothing melodies a small comfort. Without the music, the drive felt interminable, each mile stretching into eternity.

Her mind raced with questions. Why hadn't Hannibal mentioned anything about this patient? Just as she was lost in thought, her phone rang, jolting her back to reality. She glanced at the screen and saw Hannibal's name.

"Hello, darling," his smooth, familiar voice filled the car as she accepted the call.

"Hey, Hannibal. I was visiting Jack," she replied, a smile forming on her lips as relief washed over her at the sound of his voice.

"Yes, Jack informed me," Hannibal responded, his tone calm and measured. "I intended to join you, but an unforeseen complication arose with one of my patients."

Litai noted his matter-of-fact explanation. "Are you heading home now?" Hannibal inquired. He longed for her presence, feeling the day's stress weigh heavily on him. The patient in question was no ordinary case; it was Will. Hannibal had been trying to locate him but had only uncovered a few clues about his whereabouts.

"I'm on my way home now," Litai lied smoothly, not wanting to disclose her true destination. She felt a pang of guilt but pushed it aside, focusing on maintaining her calm facade.

"Good," Hannibal said, seemingly satisfied. "I'll see you soon then."

"Yes, see you soon," she replied, hanging up and taking a deep breath. The conversation had brought some comfort, but also a reminder of the complexities and secrets that now defined her life.

As she continued her drive, the familiar streets leading to her house came into view. She parked the car and sat for a moment, the weight of the day pressing down on her. Litai knew that once she stepped inside, the delicate balance of her world would once again be tested. She just hoped she had the strength to hold it all together.

Litai opened the door to her house, greeted by the familiar scent of her favouritemrite candles that filled the hallway. She took a deep breath, stepping further inside, trying to find comfort in the familiar surroundings. She couldn't quite place why she felt a pang of disappointment when she found no sign of Will.

Dust had settled in places that were once meticulously cleaned by her or her maids, a testament to how long it had been since she last spent time here. She missed her house, the sanctuary it had once been. Yet, despite this, she knew that moving in with Hannibal had been one of the best decisions she had ever made.

As she walked through the rooms, she reflected on the stark contrast between her current life and her past. Living with Hannibal had brought a sense of stability and excitement, albeit with its own dark undercurrents. She appreciated the luxurious comfort of his home, the stimulating conversations, and the intense connection they shared. But now, in her own space, the reality of her situation weighed heavily on her. The house felt like a relic of a simpler time, a time when her biggest concerns were mundane compared to the dangerous complexities she navigated now.

She wandered into the living room, her fingers trailing over the dusty surfaces of her once cherished furniture. Memories of happier times spent here with friends, including Will, flooded back, creating a stark juxtaposition with her current reality. Litai sat down on the sofa, feeling the weight of the day's revelations settle over her.

The silence in the house was profound, offering her a rare moment of introspection. She realised  how much she had changed, how her life had shifted from the predictable routine of a psychologist to the unpredictable world. She wondered about Will, his escape, and what he might do next. Despite everything, she still cared deeply for him and wished there was something she could do to help.

Litai knew she couldn't stay long. Hannibal would be expecting her, and she didn't want to arouse suspicion. But for now, she allowed herself a few more moments in her own home, grounding herself in the familiar before returning to the life she had chosen with Hannibal.