Eat the Rude

Juliette threw her coat and purse on the small table in her entry way. She had been a busy, busy woman the last couple of weeks trying to keep up with Hannibal and Will. She she wanted today was some time to herself. She kicked her heels off her tired feet and left them at the bottom of her staircase. She went straight for her bathroom. She loved her bathroom. It was a huge reason why she bought this house in the first place. The Black marble floors complimented the blood red walls so well. The rain shower stood separate from her massive black claw foot bathtub. She turned the tap and threw a few spoonfuls of bath salts into the water. She slid her dress to the floor and stepped into the tub. The hot water felt amazing on her bruised skin. In the dim light of the black chandelier that hung above her she basked in the warm blanket of water that covered her. It prickled at the bruises that covered her hips, wrists and thighs, reminding her of the men who put them there. They were both never far from her thoughts. She had Will exactly where she wanted him. He couldn't resist her. Hannibal took control from her. That was a welcome change. She lounged around for a little while longer till the water went started to become tepid. She grabbed a towel from the hook and made her way to her closet. A black tank top and boy shorts would have to do. She realized it was 9 AM but between Hannibal and Will she hadn't slept much and all she wanted to do now was pull her heavy black curtains and sleep until her body wouldn't let her. She pulled her long hair into a messy bun and climbed into her bed. She laid there in the darkness. The coolness of the sheets calming her warm skin. She had just closed her eyes when she heard her front door open. She threw off the covers and let out an irritated sigh. She opened her door to see Hannibal standing on her landing.

    "I need my beauty sleep Hannibal. You couldn't call?" Juliette said turning back into her bedroom.

Hannibal followed her and shut the door behind him once again enveloping the room in darkness.

    "I'm sorry Juliette, I know this is rather unexpected of me but.....I felt compelled to come see you." He laid his coat on the black ottoman at the end of her bed. Juliette crawled into her bed tucking her legs underneath her, leaning against the headboard.

    "You just saw me last night. What's wrong?"

Hannibal looked at her. There was something in his eyes. Juliette couldn't place it. They were distant, mournful.

    "I don't know how to say this Juliette so I will just say it, I love you. It's a feeling I had no idea I was even capable of anymore. There is something in you. Something that calls to me. It goes against everything that I am. Everything I have ever done. No one has ever understood me."

"Except Will Graham." Juliette said moving towards him.

Hannibal pulled her into his lap. Caressing her face and kissing her neck.

    "I love you too Hannibal." Juliette whispered into his ear. She pulled back and took his face in her hands.

    "I need to get some sleep. Lay with me?" Hannibal stripped to his boxers and climbed in her bed next to her and held her close. Juliette drifted off to sleep to the sound of his heartbeat.