Imagine Book 2 (Requests Welcome)

A Deadly Therapy Session- Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal)

As requested by Grindelwald2001! Fem Y/N.

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows through Dr Hannibal Lecter's office windows, painting the room in amber hues that seemed to make the dark wood panelling glow. Y/N sat in her usual place, the leather patient's chair that had become familiar over their months of sessions together. Today, however, the comfort she typically found in this space felt somehow different, charged with an underlying tension she couldn't quite name.

Dr. Lecter sat across from her, impeccable as always in his three-piece plaid suit, legs crossed elegantly at the knee. His maroon eyes studied her with their usual intensity, but there was something else there too – a heightened awareness, like a predator sensing danger.

"You seem distracted today, Y/N," he observed, his accented voice smooth and controlled. "Has something troubled you since our last session?"

Y/N shifted in her chair, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm not sure, Doctor. I just have this feeling... like something's off." She let out a small, self-deprecating laugh. "Probably just paranoia, right? Isn't that why I'm here in the first place?"

The ghost of a smile touched Hannibal's lips. "Paranoia implies irrationality. What you're experiencing may be a perfectly rational response to stimuli you've yet to consciously process." He tilted his head slightly. "Tell me, what does this feeling remind you of?"

Before Y/N could answer, a sound echoed from somewhere in the building – a sharp crack, like breaking wood, followed by a muffled thump. Y/N straightened in her chair. "Did you hear that?"

"Indeed." Hannibal's expression remained calm, but he rose smoothly to his feet, moving to his desk with measured steps. "It seems we may have an unexpected visitor."

Y/N's heart began to race. "Should we call someone? The police?"

"Let's not jump to conclusions just yet." Hannibal's voice remained steady, almost soothing. He opened a drawer in his desk, though Y/N couldn't see what he might be reaching for. "Tell me, Y/N, do you remember our discussions about fear? How we spoke about the difference between rational and irrational responses to threat?"

Another sound, closer this time – the creak of floorboards in the waiting room. Y/N's mouth went dry. "Dr. Lecter, I don't think this is the time for—"

"On the contrary," he interrupted gently, moving back toward her. "This is precisely the time. You've made remarkable progress in our sessions, learning to face your fears with rationality and grace. Now we have an opportunity to put that progress into practice."

The door to the waiting room burst open with a splintering crack, and a tall, dark-skinned man stepped through. Y/N recognized him instantly – Tobias Budge, the string shop owner Dr. Lecter had mentioned meeting at the opera. But this was not the polished, cultured man from those stories. This Tobias moved with predatory grace, a length of wire glinting in his hands.

"Dr. Lecter," Tobias said, his voice unnaturally calm. "I apologize for interrupting your session."

Y/N felt frozen in place, her chest tight with fear. But Hannibal stepped smoothly between her and Tobias, his posture relaxed yet alert. "Tobias. I wasn't expecting you until next week. Though I suspect this isn't a social call."

"You suspect correctly." Tobias's dark eyes flicked to Y/N. "I hadn't planned on an audience."

"Y/N is my patient," Hannibal said, his tone taking on an edge she'd never heard before. "And she is under my protection."

Tobias smiled, the expression devoid of warmth. "How dedicated of you, Doctor. But I'm afraid this isn't negotiable."

What happened next seemed to unfold in slow motion. Tobias lunged forward, the wire whistling through the air. But Hannibal was already moving, pushing Y/N behind his desk while simultaneously ducking under Tobias's attack. The two men collided with brutal force, sending a side table crashing to the floor.