[he returns to the living room once more, the air sticky with heat and sickness. it bombards him all over again, being so close to it. he keeps his breathing shallow. unfortunate that a third of his thoughts are directed toward how he's going to clean. he's put on latex gloves, one hand tucked away in his pants pocket while the other rests in a closed fist around the handle of a knife behind his back.

he stands at Krouse's feet now, taking up the space left between his line of sight and the rest of the living room.]

Not always easy, no. It's important to let yourself to be vulnerable with yourself and with others. You're being vulnerable with me right now.

[Krouse may need to come back and discuss this later, when he's sober. Hannibal expects it, would even encourage it. he is seeing much more than a teen trying to fix a girl's eating disorder -- he's trying to fix everything.]

You aren't bad for wanting to protect your friends. [every word he speaks is without sharpness. rather, more gentle suggestions.] You became comfortable with the familiarity, expected the more unfortunate outcomes. Do you want to change?