Look, an update! I love love love love love reviews and followers and favorites! Anakin, my little black kitten, does too! He enjoys sitting beside me when I'm typing, because it's the only time I'm partially still. Such a sweet kitty. This is sort of a two-part piece. The best is yet to come, tonight. Jeg ejer ikke Hannibal, kun fordrukne Anna.
-M
"Is this how you intend to act the rest of the evening, Anna? Angry at me?"
Hannibal did not receive a response. The modelesque woman of bronze remained cross-armed in his passenger seat, glaring out the window.
"You really do look divine, gana An-na,"
Nothing. Not even a flicker of a smile. When this woman holds a grudge, she means it.
"An-na,"
"An-na"
Hannibal sighed, patience waning.
"I stopped her from keeping the recording of my session with Will. She is a tabloid blogger of a crime scene explanation site. Do you understand how dangerous this could be to Will and cases?"
"I am aware,"
It was a response, no matter how grumbled. Hannibal began to relax.
"When you ripped Ms. Lounds by her hair, I have never wanted to fuck you as badly as I did then."
Aqua eyes raced from the window to his face, gaping. Hannibal fought off a smirk. Instead he too looked away from the road, meeting her eyes calmly.
Predatorily.
Anna had never heard the good doctor use such language. It was a dramatic change from his usual romantic prose. Even when he asked someone to pass the salt, it sounded like a poem.
This,
This was something new.
"Language, doctor," Anna sneered, using his accent against him. A vein appeared across Hannibal's temple. He hated being mocked.
"She was a potential patient. I cannot have you frightening away clients, An-na,"
A loud, beautiful laugh filled his car. Startled, Hannibal turned to her. Anna Astor was holding her sides, ripping at the seams from ferocious laughter. He had never seen her laugh as she did from her belly, like this. The contagion of it was inescapable. A lopsided smile drew across Hannibal's face, checking the road and returning to Anna. "What? Why are you laughing?"
"Because, dialus, gudrus Hannibal, I do not feel that it was my words that frightened her away." Anna chuckled, wiping at her make-up. Those lips were deep red and glossy; the type he knew would leave a considerable mark.
"It was your eyes,"
Anna's brows furrowed. "What?"
"It was your eyes and face that scared her the most, An-na. The way you looked at her with such coldness. It sent a chill down even my spine. It was…primal."
Red lips remained closed.
When she saw them together, Anna had snapped. That woman was a slithering snake hiding in the weeds, waiting to strike. It would have been the best bait, using Hannibal.
"…You know, if she were your next little entrée, I wouldn't object,"
Hannibal laughed and Anna grinned. His car pulled into a long driveway.
He smiled at Anna Astor, holding her jaw, kissed her forehead. Her breath caught at the simple, romantic gesture.
Still unbelieving the cannibal doctor was capable of such gentleness.
"Don't want Jack suspecting too much, with those carnivorous lips," Hannibal teased. He had taken the food container delicately from her, standing on the steps up to the side door of his home. Anna pushed the container lower in his hands, having it hover near his waist.
Figuring out his tie, pulling his shirt apart and away from his body.
Red lips pressed to him, the skin of chest, over his heart. A perfect, lip-shaped stain left imprinted as she pulled away.
Anna Astor smiled, re-buttoned the doctor's shirt,
And left him standing there, speechless.
"Jack, it is a pleasure to see you," Hannibal Lecter greeted pleasantly. Agent Crawford smiled, shaking the hand offered to him. "Dr. Lecter, it's good to see you again as well,"
His house was as impeccable as his psychology practice. Everything about it felt classic and expensive, from the walls to the furniture to the shining floors and plush carpets.
"Your house is extraordinary, Doctor," Crawford had to admit. He seemed pleased with this compliment and nodded accordingly.
Dinner was already waiting for them as they sat, though there was an extra setting pre-made. Crawford turned his head in confusion.
"Was I supposed to bring someone, Doctor?"
"No, but an unexpected guest may have decided to grace your presence," A sweet voice cheered. Two hands were belittled as they slid onto Dr. Lecter's shoulders, pearly smile facing Crawford. He tensed at the sight of Anna Astor, dressed quite…arousing.
He missed the dark gaze of Hannibal Lecter as Anna seated herself, pulling a cloth napkin into her lap. Blue eyes found his and widened.
"Is my being here a hindrance to you, Mr. Crawford? I don't mind leaving-"
"No, no. I just hadn't expected you," he clarified, "and you can call me Jack,"
Her smile was stunning as those puckered lips spoke his name. "Jack."
I am a married man. I am a married man.
"This is delicious. What type of meat is this?" Jack Crawford had no qualms with his frantic eating, addicted to the fine cooking of Dr. Lecter. Anna tilted her head and waited for an answer as well.
"Pork," Was all Hannibal revealed. Anna's eyes narrowed and Hannibal glanced at her, averting quickly with a smirk.
"Does he cook often for you, Anna?" Her dreamy face turned towards Jack. A smile unfolded.
"Oh, yes. He believes my eating habits are atrocious."
"Two candy bars and a diet coke does not a proper meal make, An-na,"
Crawford laughed. Hannibal shook his head at her in dismay, trying not to smile. The brunette shrugged skinny shoulders.
"Perhaps my culinary skills are just not up to par with yours, doctor. Why attempt when I've tasted the forbidden fruit?"
Only Hannibal caught the meaning behind her words. She watched his face darken over like thunder clouds.
It wasn't anger that she saw on his face. It was something much better.
Anna Astor stood with a clap of her hands. "I have, however, provided dessert! You two have a nice little chat as I put on the finishing touches, yes?"
The two men nodded, Crawford's smile still on the corners of his mouth. Anna chuckled and stalked out, fingers brushing Hannibal's as she passed.
"Playing with fire still I see, Dr. Lecter," Crawford commented, sitting back in his chair. Their conversation had went from his wife to his mother to Graham, circling back to the doctor himself. Brown eyes met his, impervious.
"And to what could you possibly be referring to, Jack?"
"You know who I'm talking about, Hannibal,"
The doctor replaced his wine glass on the table, smirking at his empty place setting. Anna had expertly whisked them away in one easy trip.
"Perhaps I'm psychoanalyzing her on my own time, Jack,"
"For some reason I doubt that, Dr. Lecter," Crawford answered bluntly. Hannibal shrugged. "Believe what you want,"
Anna Astor was a vision of the perfect wife for Hannibal Lecter. They never spoke over one another, held their conversations equally, and shared the same mannerisms. They even dressed in the same overly-formal way, for Christ's sake.
If there was anyone who could keep Astor in check,' Crawford mused, 'It's Lecter.'
The darker man shrugged as well. "So long as you know what you're doing, Hannibal, I don't see where I have room to comment,"
The doctor smiled. That close-lipped smile that always peaked on his mouth. Cordial. "And I thank you for that."
"Uh oh. I think my ears are burning," Someone interrupted the ended conversation. Anna's narrow form slipped from the kitchen door, balancing three china plates on one arm. Both men began to stand, offering help. She waved them off with a flick of her hand.
"My, my. What is this?" Jack wondered. A perfect cylinder of pink mousse topped with white cream sat atop a thick, dark gold cookie. A fourth of a strawberry lay against the whipped cream, three green leaves sprouting from the stem. A ripe raspberry faced the other direction, sleeping in the bed of cream as well. The plate was decorated with painted syrup, first red then white, all the way around the dessert.
It was so beautiful, Jack almost didn't want to eat it.
"It's-"
"Lithuanian strawberry torte," Hannibal answered instead, softly. Anna beamed.
"I did some research between patients today. It doesn't appear Lithuanians have much of a sweet tooth. Most of the desserts were breads, and I didn't have the hunger for that. Luckily, I came across traditional tortes. Surprise, Dr. Lecter! I hope you both enjoy it."
Crawford noticed the way Hannibal Lecter looked at Anna. She smiled back at him, hesitant.
Hannibal returned the look tenfold.
"My god, this is good," Crawford groaned. Every bite was small to make it last, even when he really just wanted to stuff the whole dessert in his greedy mouth. Dr. Astor smiled beautifully.
"Are my skills up to par, then, Jack? I was quite trepid to follow Hannibal's culinary mastery."
"I think she's giving you a run for your money, Hannibal," Crawford answered seriously. Anna laughed and Hannibal nodded.
"I should have known sweets would be her forte. In that department, she most assuredly has me beaten," Crawford sighed, closing his eyes with another bite.
"Anna, what's in this besides strawberries? There's a sort of twang that I can't just put my finger on. It's what really gives you an edge over Hannibal,"
Anna Astor tilted her dark head, cat eyes lidded upon her face. Those blood red lips pulled into a little smile.
"That, Agent Crawford, is my little secret."
Hannibal's attention immediately drew to the woman. Anna ignored his look, sipping instead from her wine glass. In one swallow she finished it off, offering it expectantly to Hannibal. He refilled it with mild disdain.
"Well, Dr. Lecter, Anna, I feel that I've impeded on your generosity long enough. I really must get home to the Missus."
"Oh, you should have brought her!" Anna exclaimed with a pout. Her cheeks were ruddy from the wine and her emotions appeared easily now. Crawford grinned.
"I suppose I'll have to next time. Maybe you can teach her a thing or two about cooking." The woman happily nodded.
"You'll see her home, won't you? I'm not sure she's fit to drive," Crawford muttered to Hannibal. Anna had said her good-byes in the dining room, remaining behind to clear away the table. Hannibal couldn't stop a smirk as he nodded. "She did not drive here to begin with: I picked her up. Do not worry, Jack, Ms. Astor is in capable hands."
Jack Crawford decided not to comment on that remark.
Hannibal Lecter stood on his doorstep until Agent Crawford was in his car. With a wave, he disappeared into the night.
The good doctor returned to his house, mind caught on only one thought.
Anna.