"Oh, Norman..." You said in a stunned voice, not knowing how to react. You were completely taken aback, not believing how the others could be so callous and cruel towards the timid male. "I...I had no idea..."

"It's just so...just so hard NOT to believe them-!" Norman sobbed with a heartbroken expression, still attempting to hide his face due to the sorrowful shame he felt.

Suddenly feeling anger on his behalf; you threw the now-empty milkshakes in a nearby trash-can and softly held his shoulders, causing the traumatised boy to look up from shock. "(Y-Y/n)...? What are you—?"

Before he could get his question out, you - very lightly - planted your lips against his in a hugely soothing fashion, tilting your head to the side a little bit as you flashed him an extremely comforting look in the process. "I...I can't imagine how horrible that must've felt. To be picked on like that. Tormented like that. Taunted like that. But that teasing...that teasing ends today."

"W-Wait, what...what do you mean...? How can you make it just...just end...? And today...?" Norman stuttered in a shaken-up voice; a shade of scarlet colouring his cheeks as he stared at you curiously.

"I'll show you." You replied with a spark of courage, taking his hand and pulling him in the direction of home. "C'mon."

"Y-You can't j-just...c-confront them-!" Norman worriedly panicked, fretting on your behalf as he barely kept up with you.

"Why not?" You nonchalantly asked; still hating how he'd been treated. "They've confronted me in the past, haven't they?"

"B-But—" You kindly patted his shoulder to distract him and then opened the front door - already knowing that Michael would be standing there. And you were right, he was.

"(Y/ᑎ). YOᑌ'ᖇE ᗷᗩᑕK. I ᗰIᔕᔕEᗪ YOᑌ." [A/N: "(Y/N). YOU'RE BACK. I MISSED YOU."] Once Michael had given you the notepad he usually wrote on, you stared down at the message for a second or two and then handed it straight back - throwing him a stern glance in the process.

"Sorry Michael, but I have something to discuss right now. With Hannibal." You brushed past him and left him standing in the doorway - the stalker not understanding your random hint of hostility in the slightest.

Before you could reach the stairs however, the silent male gripped your wrist and prevented you from moving too far away from him; not liking the lack of attention you'd given him. "Iᖴ ᑎOᖇᗰᗩᑎ ᑕᗩᑎ GO ᗯITᕼ YOᑌ, ᗯᕼY ᑕᗩᑎ'T I?" [A/N: "IF NORMAN CAN GO WITH YOU, WHY CAN'T I?"]

"Because funnily enough, this doesn't involve you. So if you'll excuse me-" You didn't even bother to finish said sentence, deciding to just tug your hand out of his grip and walk upstairs - guessing that Hannibal would most likely be in his office.

"Come in." The psychiatrist politely called after you'd delicately knocked on the door; shooting you a soft smile when he noticed that the person who'd knocked was you.

"Ah (Y/n), what a pleasant surprise. I assume the two of you have enjoyed the time you've spent together today?" He gently inquired, resting his chin against the top of his hands while he continued to sit down at his desk.

"We had a great time. But that's not the reason why I wanted to speak to you." You awkwardly answered, your apprehensive attitude amusing him.

"Oh?" Hannibal's tone turned a tiny bit playful as he immediately picked up on how you were feeling; his psychiatrist skills helping him out unintentionally. "May I ask what brought you here then, mio tesoro?"

"Because I want to know why you and the others have constantly been picking on poor Norman." You bursted out protectively, clenching one hand and holding Norman's hand with the other; giving it a small squeeze whilst facing Hannibal as firmly as you could. "And doing all of this behind my back too!"

"My apologies (Y/n), but I'm afraid I'm not quite understanding." He released a light chuckle before standing up, placing both hands against his desk as his smile switched into a more...superior one. "Do you actually believe that I would behave like that? That I would behave the way a bully would?"

His calm comeback tore through your outburst like it was tearing through a thin sheet of paper; causing your confidence to crumble until you felt nothing but uncertainty instead. "Well, I just...I just didn't like seeing how upset Norman got...That's all..." You trailed off in a troubled tone, biting your lip and losing your fearsome defence.

"Then what is it that makes you think that he's telling you the truth exactly, my dear?" He asked you innocently, ignoring Norman completely and growing smug.

"H-How dare you-! I-I would never lie to (Y/n)-! N-Not like you have-!" Norman cried out furiously, starting to twitch as he stomped his foot on the floor.

"Excuse me? And just what are you implying?" Hannibal retaliated smoothly.

"S-Stop acting so...so wholesome!" Norman hatefully shouted, disliking how the other male was behaving while the two of them started to argue amongst themselves.

"Oh my, what's going on here, fellas~?" Freddy drawled wickedly, leaning against the wall as he unexpectedly appeared out of nowhere - entertained by the negative atmosphere and malicious conflict.

"Something that's none of your business." You eyed the dream demon with a stern expression, trying your best to keep the situation under control. But—

"—S-Stop making us look like the bad guys-!" Norman shrieked dramatically, growing more and more het-up by the second.

"I'm not making anyone out to be anything. In fact, I think you're behaving rather childish. Are you sure you're still taking your medication, like you told me you were?" Hannibal carried on casually, purposely pushing buttons due to wanting a reaction now.

"I-I can't believe you-!" Norman viciously yelled, his eyes widening with rage as he just lost it entirely. "Pulling (Y/n) away from the rest of us every time you're not included in something. W-What are you, selfish-? Jealous-? O-Or maybe you're just so easily hurt that you just have take it out on others-!?"

"Are you even listening to your juvenile comments right now?" Hannibal sighed and shook his head before turning to face you instead. "You can't possibly be taking this seriously, my dear. After all, didn't the two of you have a delightful time together today?"

"Well, we did, but still, I think—"

"—Then if the two of you had a delightful time together today, I personally don't believe that I pulled you away from anybody." Hannibal pointed out in that same condescending manner, causing Norman to become even more worked-up.

"Okay, but I never agreed with that statement in the first place, so—"

"B-But you're still trying to though-! Don't you even dare try and deny it-!" Norman hissed out in a frustrated fashion, shoving Hannibal backwards.

"He's not wrong." Freddy muttered under his breath, scraping his gloved hand across the wall slowly as his cold words threw you off. "Hannibal's one sneaky little bitch."

"Hold on now, what are you and Norman suggesting...?" You were completely taken aback by his cold comment; flashing him a surprised face and facing him instead.

"I am trying to do no such thing. Now if you'll both excuse me, there was actually something I was hoping to speak to (Y/n) about. Personally." Hannibal added the last part patiently after Norman and Freddy simply stood there with stubborn looks spread across their faces. "So, if you wouldn't mind—"

"Alone, huh? Oh, and why's that?" Freddy inquired darkly, pushing himself off the wall to pull you closer to him.

"Because I highly doubt the two of you would be interested in visiting the library with me." Hannibal explained his thoughts with raised eyebrows, making the dream demon scoff mockingly. "I was hoping to yesterday, but unfortunately (Y/n) had other engagements."

"Oh please, as if (Y/n) would even want to go with your bitch-ass—"

"Y'know what? Sure. That sounds like a relaxing thing to do right about now." You cut Freddy off on purpose, silently liking his furious glare.

"Excellent. We still have a bit of time before dinner, so would now be an acceptable time for you, mio fiorellino? Or are you too tired? Please don't feel forced to on my behalf." Hannibal ignored them both whilst he enjoyed your company, talking to you with nothing but respect.

"No, now is fine. I don't feel forced to." You dipped your head as a nod and broke free of Freddy's irritated hold; heading towards the front door. "In fact, this is the perfect opportunity to clear things up between us about this whole thing."

Hannibal smiled and followed you towards the front door, acting mellow once again. "Indeed it is." He softly agreed, "Indeed it is."