Chapter Text
Molly finds herself stepping into the restaurant two minutes late. She isn’t worried, she knows Hannibal and Will arrived early. She gives her name to the hostess, who leads her to their reserved table near the back. Her heart stops when they round the corner. The table is set for three, but the only person there is Hannibal. She averts her eyes almost as soon as they lock gazes and thanks the hostess.
Molly can’t avoid interaction with Hannibal forever, though. He stands as she approaches the table and pulls her seat out for her. She hears him clear his throat softly.
“Where is Will?”
Molly’s head snaps up. “What do you mean? He said he’d pick you up?”
“Why would I need him to pick me up? My car works fine.” Hannibal raises a brow and takes a seat. “He told me that he would be picking you up.”
Molly’s jaw drops as the realization washes over her. She sees a spark of recognition in Hannibal’s eyes. “You didn’t leave your car at the shop.”
“Neither did you, it seems. We’ve been lied to.”
Molly swallows and feigns ignorance. “But why?”
Hannibal’s eyes flicker downward, pretending to focus on the menu. “I believe it has to do with how we’ve been avoiding each other these past several days. He’s encouraged me to talk to you, and I have not done so. He’s taking matters into his own hands now by forcing us together.”
Somehow, Molly finds the courage to ask, “Why won’t you talk to me?”
“I do not wish to make you uncomfortable. And…I must admit, I am afraid of how my feelings will be received.”
Molly stares at him. “Your feelings?”
Hannibal nods. “Yes. While I know there has been a certain level of playful animosity and sometimes genuine dislike between use since Will and I got together, I’ve come to really love—”
Molly leans across the table and kisses Hannibal. She feels the palm of his hand rest against her cheek and hums. When they part, she says, “We’re both idiots.”
Hannibal chuckles. “It seems we are.”
It’s at that moment that their waitress arrives. She takes their orders, and the evening continues without the slightest bit of discomfort or awkwardness that had previously been present. They laugh and drink and enjoy each other’s company in a way they had dearly missed.
They have a four course meal, occasionally stealing food from each other’s plates, and share a dessert. At some point they feed each other, then laugh about how cheesy they’re being. As cliche as it is, neither one dares complain.
Eventually, Molly asks, “Do you think we should kick Will into the guest bedroom tonight?”
“Are you suggesting something, Mrs. Graham?” Hannibal replies teasingly.
Molly gives him a smug, slightly unimpressed look and says, “We should have sex.”
Hannibal chokes on his wine and his cheeks redden. Molly laughs.
Kissing Hannibal that night hadn’t been a mistake after all, just a happy accident.