"Excellent." Shooting you an adoring smile in return, Hannibal curled his arms around your waist and warmly hugged you back; enjoying every single moment of your current embrace. "I'm glad you think so. After all, I would really hate to see you unhappy. I feel kind of like I'm responsible for that, seeing as I have to do everything I can just to keep the others under control."

"Oh no, it's alright...!" You swiftly reassured him, trying to comfort the psychiatrist and calm him down somehow. "Really. After this new phone and the visits to my Mom, I'll be...I'll be just fine. I honestly don't need any more gifts or luxuries."

"—And I really do care about you...you know...?" He told you in an endearing tone, his reply totally throwing you off. "I don't like seeing the other slashers give you a hard time. With how mean Krueger is and everything..."

"Oh c'mon, Freddy's not that bad." You defended the dream demon fiercely, pushing away from the hug and frowning at Hannibal entirely. "He's just a little...malicious and sharp-tongued—"

"...And what with those two "unwanted admirers" being a little bit...you know...unhinged...? Unbalanced...?" Hannibal continued angelically, bringing you back to your first encounter with Billy and Stu.

"They had their reasons, and besides, I was taught to never judge a book by its cover." You fired back, losing your happiness from mere minutes ago and instead becoming agitated.

"Ahaha...I guess people did get taught that everyday quote, now didn't they...?" The psychiatrist playfully chuckled, grasping your wrist and behaving possessive a couple of seconds afterwards. "But it's weird, because in all the time we've been dating, we've hardly gotten to spend any time together. You know what I mean, (Y/n)...?"

"Believe me, I know..." You dryly responded, already knowing how Hannibal felt when it came to you spending time with anybody else; whether it be the other killers, or simply your friends. "Your jealousy isn't exactly hidden either though, you know what I mean...?"

"I guess it's a good thing you're still studying Psychology then, hmm~?" Hannibal smiled in amusement, a tinge of mischief lingering throughout his tone while you lightly relaxed.

"Mmm, I guess. But I personally prefer to call it "picking up on specific social signs"." You pointed out with a lighthearted laugh; pulling away from his possessive hold and instead opening Norman's laptop, wanting to find an elegant cellphone to replace your own.

"If you perhaps need any assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you search multiple mobile sites, not to mention—"

"Oh, no worries...!" You cheerfully brushed aside his help at once, opening several phone tabs and thinking back to the phone Amber had. You might not be a technical person, but luckily her and Laura never shut up about the latest models and designs when it came to their phones. "I think I might actually have a few ideas in mind."

"How fortunate." The psychiatrist politely remarked, shooting you another one of his pleasant smiles while he watched you choose a particular phone and place your order. "Well then, in that case, feel free to select any phone - or delivery option - that you'd like, mi amore."

"No, no, no, I couldn't possibly...!" You protested anxiously, growing hesitant and losing your cheerful personality. "My old phone wasn't that expensive...! So my replacement shouldn't be all that expensive either—!"

"My dear, you're way overthinking things." Hannibal gently replied, placing a hand on your shoulder before giving it a soft squeeze. "Remember what I told you when you first moved in with us...?"

—

"Is something amiss, my dear?"
"Oh no, no, not at all!" "I was just wondering if I could use some of this lavender-scented bubble bath. I don't know whose it is, but I didn't want to use some without permission and—"
"Oh angelo mio, of course you can use some. What's ours is yours."
"Well, thank you very much then." "That really is kind of you."
"On the contraire, it's the least we can do - considering you live here now."

—

"There's a difference between using some lavender-scented bubble bath and an entire phone...!" You bursted out in alarm, your eyes widening with surprise while you started to freak out.

"But you have to keep in mind, bellissima." The smart male reminded you smoothly; his tone remaining well-mannered and pleasant. "Wealth has almost little to no value to us. It's more important to the people of society than to myself and to the others. In the end, despite currency being...obligatory and necessary, it's nothing more than that. Mere currency."

"Wow, Hannibal, that's...that's really deep." You shyly complimented, giving him a softhearted smile of your own and trying your best to calm down. "Even by your standards. I...I guess I never really thought of it that way..."

"So then, I take it you wish for that phone...?" He patiently guessed, waiting for your answer whilst he watched you click the laptop's mousepad and place your order for "Express Delivery".

"Mmhm...! Then again, it's not like I have much time." You joked playfully, releasing another quiet laugh as you closed Norman's laptop down and turning it off altogether. "After this, I still have to change clothes and make breakfast this morning, otherwise I'll miss my Psychology class this afternoon."

"You're heading over to the University after breakfast...?" Hannibal questioned with slight curiosity, the psychiatrist standing up at the very same time before flashing you a frown. "Why...? Whatever for...? Surely you must've noticed by now that your overall health has already began to suffer."

"Maybe." You agreed with a mild smile, knowing already that him - and most likely the others - would try to prevent you from going. "But I don't want to spark up any more possible suspicion. Plus, I'd much rather hang out with my friends than be cooped up here indefinitely. Uh, no offence."

"None taken, angelo mio." He chuckled casually, taking your remark with a pinch of salt and already catching on to what you meant. "You told us that freedom was a requirement for you, as I previously recall. I would never go back on my word. Nor would I ever break a promise to you."

"I know." Your warm smile widened, placing both of your hands on his shoulders before tenderly squeezing them. "And I...I trust you. Really...I do. But lowering suspicion and catching up with my real-life friends is something I just have to do."

"I understand. But please, try to put yourself first from time-to-time. It pains me to see you fight fatigue like this, or to have to consistently put up with Krueger's petulant mannerisms." Hannibal sighed in disappointment, genuine concern flowing from his voice as he held you lovingly by your waist. "It's awfully unfair for you to be treated this way. You always try your hardest to keep everyone else happy, without once thinking about yourself. I've never met anyone as considerate and compassionate as you."

"Are you calling me strange...?" You wryly wondered, raising your eyebrows whilst questioning what he was attempting to say.

A devious smile spread calmly across his face, the dark-haired male carefully shaking his head before leaning his forehead delicately against yours. "No." He answered with the same amount of devilish amusement from earlier hidden in his tone. "I'm not. What I'm calling you is a complete and utter miracle, (Y/n)."

"That's a bit...That's a bit overkill, isn't it...?" You stammered with a shocked expression; stunned by his words and taken aback by everything else.

"Mm...Perhaps. But doesn't that go to show just how much I care about you...?" Hannibal asked adoringly, his voice no louder than a melodic murmur as his lips sweetly touched yours. "After all, I'm the one who usually takes your feelings into account. I'm the one who usually pays attention to your requests and desires. And I'm the one who usually—"

"Well, yes..." You cut in hesitantly, growing tremendously flustered due to both how close Hannibal was and how seductive he was suddenly behaving. "Yes...it does. And believe me, I'm grateful for your care and affection. Truly, I am."

"So then, what's the problem...?" He innocently inquired, acting oddly angelic and heavenly for someone like him. "What I'm asking for can't be too much to ask for, now can it...? To look out for yourself once in a while...? And to take it easier on your health...?"

"I...suppose not..." You unsurely replied, moving your hands away from his shoulders and up against your chest. "But I didn't think my health was suffering that bad—"

"Though it might not look like it at the moment, all I'm saying is that if you continue with what you're doing right now, you might end up causing serious harm to yourself in the future." Hannibal explained seriously, still holding your waist and leaning against your forehead. "It's getting kind of dangerous for you to spend so much time with the others. Especially the unwanted admirers."

"Billy might need some help mentally, but him and Stu aren't a threat anymore...!" You defended them in a softhearted fashion, your frown returning as you attempted to move back altogether. But Hannibal had other plans; the psychiatrist intertwining his fingers with yours and stopping you from doing so.

"Be that as it may, isn't it safer to take precaution...? To protect yourself from any sort of upcoming danger...?" He quietly warned you, his handholding and caring expression striking you as extremely romantic. "At least for now."

"I-I guess, but—"
"So I think if you kept your distance from those two for the time being, that would probably be for the best." Hannibal decided for you sympathetically; his possessive personality shining through whilst you bit back with force.

"That would just make things worse...!" You sharply snapped, shaking your head from frustration and realising his true intentions almost straightaway. "Distancing myself from the others and Billy-slash-Stu would cause nothing but...but chaos...!"

"—While you're at it, don't be shy to spend a little more time with me~" He obsessively hummed; his smile twisting into one of underlaying insanity. "To put it lightly, I at least have it together in the head, and I know how to treat the people I care about."

"No." You argued courageously, pulling your hands out of his and clenching them into fists instead. "You don't...! You may seem like you do, but you don't...! You're just taking advantage of my minor exhaustion and overall empathy. I'm NOT stupid, Hannibal. Distancing myself is a terrible idea."