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“I’ll pick you up at 12. We can get lunch.” Will had texted you the night before your date. He even offered to pay, and you tried to tell him you had the money, but he was set on paying. You didn’t argue. The next morning was spent excitedly waiting for 11, so you could start getting ready, making sure you looked good for him.
When 12 came, Will was outside your apartment in his light blue Volvo. You stepped outside at his text message, in a pretty sundress you knew he’d love. He got out of the car to open the door for you, his eyes tracing every inch of your body, his hand on the small of your back as you got in. Once you both were seated, he looked over you again.
“You look beautiful.” He said softly, and started the car.
“Thank you. You look handsome.” You said with a smile, placing a hand on his thigh.
He tensed slightly but didn’t stop you.
“Thanks.” He said, knowing better than to argue with you over whether or not he was handsome. You believed it, that’s what mattered.
You pulled up to the small cafe you loved. They had good food, better coffees. It was a simple spot, one that only locals really knew about, which made it even better. You knew Will would appreciate a cozy atmosphere more than some kind of big restaurant or bar. You thought for a moment you saw a figure on the other corner of the cafe, but when you looked, no one was there. You gently took his hand and led him inside. The waitress running the front of house recognized you from your many visits, and seemed almost happy for you that you actually had someone with you. You had almost forgotten your life before Hannibal and Will, being a loner with a handful of friends. Here you were now, with your… boyfriend?
You two took a booth near the back. It was pretty quiet today. By the time you had gotten your drinks, there was only a small group of teens, another couple, and one man sitting alone. You had gotten some fancy iced coffee, Will got a simple latte.
“Thanks for taking me out. I haven’t been on a date in…” You trailed off, embarrassed to admit you had only a date or two in college that went absolutely no where, and just as many hookups you regretted.
“Yeah, of course. It’s been a while for me too.” He replied, sparing you the embarrassment.
You smiled and reached for his hand across the table.
“Well, we’re both here now. We managed that.” You teased, giggling softly.
Will hesitated but squeezed your hand back.
“Yeah,”
“How was the case? I know it was taking a toll on you,”
“Rough, but, it’s what the job entails. We found the guy, he’s getting a life sentence, supposedly,”
“Good,” You replied as waitress came with your meals.
“How’s work?” He asked, but he really meant how you and Hannibal were doing.
“Good! Hannibal had missed me a bit, but, you know how he is. Possessive, kinda. But I’m here with you, and that’s what matters.” You said, sensing his insecurities rising.
He got a little less tense at your words, but still seemed wary.
“And I like being with you,” You added, “Very much. I was actually wondering… if, well, maybe not right this second, but maybe after a few more dates, or whatever… we could, uhm, be… serious…-er? Not trying to force you into anything! I just… well…” You stammered, ready for the laugh or just straight “no” you’d get.
Will stared at you, which was even worse than rejection, and blinked a few times.
“You know it wouldn’t work.” He said.
“But it could, if we tried…” You offered.
He scoffed at your naivety.
“I do care about you, I do. And I like this, going out with you. But it’s never gonna be this normal on a regular day. You’ll be with me, and you’ll see what I really am, and you’ll leave. You wouldn’t be the first.” He told you.
You huffed, both at his denials and at the idea of you not being anywhere near the first to get this close to him. Maybe some had gotten even closer.
“We’re basically… something, already, aren’t we?” He asked, wanting to make the pout on your face go away.
“I guess. I can’t exactly call home and say, ‘Hey mom, sorry I haven’t called in a while, I was with my kind-of-boyfriend-slash-friends-with-benefits-boss’s-best-friend’, you know?” You said, humor painting your otherwise sad tone.
Will sighed, “I know. I know. It’s a lengthy label. If you want to say boyfriend, you can.” He relented.
Boyfriend, to him, sounded weird coming from his mouth. He felt too old be boyfriend and girlfriend. Everyone his age was married or single on purpose. He was content with the latter, until you.
Boyfriend, to you, was music to your ears. Even if he probably would never call you his girlfriend, you were happy to at least say, finally, that you had a real boyfriend, who you were on a date with right now.
“I’m gonna tell everyone!” You giggled as you leaned across the table to kiss his cheek.
His face lit up red, not at the kiss, but at your words.
“Kidding! Just a couple friends, and my mom.” You assured him with a bright smile
He smiled back, and squeezed your hand. Really, he just wanted to make you happy. So much of his life was darkness, and you were like the light at the end of that forty-something year long tunnel.
You two finished eating after more light conversation, and Will drove you back home. You noticed a car behind you that had been there for a while, but it passed when Will pulled over at your apartment.
“Thank you. Today was amazing.” You told him as you pressed a kiss to his lips.
He cupped your cheek gently and kissed you back. When you pulled away, he kissed your forehead and let you leave. Like a gentleman, he waited until you were inside before driving away.
You went up to your apartment, and kicked off your heels. You went off to the shower, changing out of your clothes, and letting your imagination run a little wild. You imagined Will stopping you from leaving his car, imagined him getting down in the passenger seat, eating you out. You imagined him begging for more than just that, and managed to cum on your fingers from just memories of him pleading.
You cleaned yourself off and changed into some comfy pajamas, readying to spend the rest of your day off lounging on your couch, reading or watching TV, maybe ordering out. You reentered the living room and found your door, always locked, open wide. Your heart sunk. Before you could even run to a neighbor, arms wrapped around you and a silk handkerchief was pressed to your mouth. Your vision blurred, and you were out.
_______
You woke in darkness. Your eyes were covered with a handkerchief similar to the one that knocked you out. Your head buzzed, and you screamed, not knowing what else to do.
You heard footsteps approaching. You were sure this was it. No one would ever see or hear from you again. You’d die here, or worse.
Your blindfold was gently taken off of you and you were met with a blurry Hannibal. You were confused. Why on earth would he kidnap you?
“My apologies on ruining your perfect date.” He said, his voice low and almost angry.
“Wha…”
“Sh, your head must hurt, darling.” He said, too tender to be real.
“You… why would you…”
“Oh, darling, you’re so naive. It is the sweetest thing.” He said to you, crouching down to meet you at eye level.
You tried to move, but you were bound to the chair.
“I had been watching you for quite a while already, when we aren’t sharing a wall. A shepard can’t let his lambs stray too far from the farm.” He whispered to you, cupping your cheek.
You started crying again, scared and relieved and mortified all at once. He just held your face until your sobs became pants.
“I watched your date with Will. I followed you home. I listened to you moan for him in the shower. I watched you dress through the crack in your door.” He whispered, “Why didn’t you think to tell me you were seeing him so… seriously?” He asked you, like it was somehow your fault he kidnapped you, “Boyfriend, hm?” He taunted, “That’s what you’re calling him?”
You cried more. Hannibal took your phone from the bag he must have taken as well. He let you watch as he sent Will your current location and a simple “Help”.
“He’ll be here soon, don’t worry.”