Sweet Ophelia (Hannibal Fanfiction)

Reba

They talked for hours, so long that Molly had to rush to pick up Wally from school and Reba had to pay her taxi driver extra to make up for his lost time. But it was worth the minor inconvenience. Reba found herself returning to Molly's the next week, and two weeks after that, and a week after that, and the next thing she knew, they were going out to lunch once a week...

It excited her, but it frightened her, too. Reba was never one for not going for what she wanted, but last time, what she'd wanted ended up being a fledgling serial killer and a man she never should have trusted. What if Molly wasn't as trustworthy as she seemed? What if Reba had fallen into another trap? What if they were both too damaged to truly love and trust another person that deeply again?

What if Molly wasn't into her like that?

Reba was not one for avoiding what she wanted — and thankfully, neither was Molly.

A few months later, they had a lunch at a slightly fancier restaurant than usual, Molly's pick. It seemed like the perfect time to say something. Every pause in conversation racketed up Reba's heartbeat, yet every pause passed without event. She had plenty of opportunities, but the words died in her throat. To stall, she ordered dessert and ate it slowly. It tasted like disappointment on her tongue.

All too soon, Reba heard the scrape of Molly's chair being pushed back, but instead of the usual goodbye, she was startled to feel a gentle hand on hers.

"Forgive me if I'm misreading your intentions, but would you like to go out for drinks?"

Reba's heart soared.

"Miss Molly Foster, are you asking me on a date?" she said slowly.

Molly laughed, and her next words sounded slightly apprehensive. "Too forward?"

A smile spread across Reba's face, and she took Molly's hand in hers. "Not at all. I would love to."