"(Y/n)! It's so good to see you." Cadence greeted you warmly, your kindhearted friend engulfing you in a hug once she'd opened her apartment's front door. "It feels like forever since we've last met up like this."

"Ahahaha, likewise." Laughing lightly, you wrapped your arms around her in return and hugged her back; her comforting attitude calming you down considerably. "How've you been though, Cadence? Amber and Laura haven't been causing you too much trouble, now have they?"

"Well, apart from them wanting to constantly drag me to raves and such, I've been mostly alright." The blonde wryly responded, rolling her eyes as her sarcastic remark made you both release another laugh.

"Yeah, that seems like them." Shaking your head, your voice dripped with sarcasm too - not surprised by your two other friends and their extroverted ways.

"Would you like a drink...? I'm afraid I don't have any alcohol or anything like that, but I do have lavender tea." Cadence offered kindly, leading you inside her apartment before shutting the door behind you both. "I've heard it's extremely good for health benefits."

"Oh...?" You wondered with interest, sitting in her living room's sofa and accepting her offer.

"I'm sorry, it's just that recently I've noticed that you've been acting less and less like yourself nowadays. You've grown paler and seem to be more and more stressed-out." She softly stated, her sharp perception kicking into play whilst you internally panicked. Crap. Cadence really was more on the ball than Amber and Laura sometimes.

Hopefully nobody else had noticed your change in behaviour— "Please don't worry about it!" You quickly replied, brushing aside her concerns as fast as you possibly could. "Really...! It's just...what with the unwanted admirer and all..."

"Well...if you're sure..." Cadence spoke suspiciously, still looking slightly anxious on your behalf. "Anyway, I'd be more than happy to make that lavender tea. I was going to use it myself."

"How come? You not sleeping well?" Glancing at her with curiosity, you hoped it wasn't too serious - praying that Freddy wasn't somewhat involved.

"I'm not sure whether or not it was an actual nightmare, but it was awfully strange." The short-haired girl commented thoughtfully, heading into the kitchen before heating up the hot drink. "Maybe it was because of the upcoming psychology exam..."

"Strange?" You echoed in confusion, crossing one leg over the other while you waited for her to explain. "What sort of strange...?"

"This guy scraped his fingernails along things. Actually, they were more like fingerknives or something. Almost like he'd made them himself...And they made this horrible screeching noise..." Cadence awkwardly told you, finishing up the tea and pouring it into teacups. "It was insane, y'know?"

"Are you serious...?" You stammered in shock, saying a quiet Thank You after taking the warm cup of tea from her.

"I'm sure it was just a one-time-thing though." Waving it off, she smiled and sat down opposite you; drinking some lavender tea herself. "Everyone has nightmares, (Y/n)."

"Yeah...Yeah, they do." You timidly nodded, taking a sip of your own tea and finding the soothing scent to be relaxing. "Like you said, it was probably just because of the upcoming psychology exam, that's all."

Once you'd responded to Cadence, your phone suddenly rang; making you jump and place your cup of tea down on the living room table. It was way past people's usual calling time, so who could be calling you at this hour? Who would—? Your eyes widened as you froze, realising just who it could be. Then again, just to be sure, you pulled your phone out from your pocket - to double-check - and looked at the caller, now feeling anxious. It...It was Hannibal. But why...? Why would he be calling so late...? Were they really that worried over you...? You said you were only going out for a bit - and it was just with a friend - so...?

"Um, (Y/n)...?" Cadence asked with concern, causing you to bite your lip and grow even more alarmed. Oh God, oh God, oh God, what were you supposed to do...!?

"I'll uh, be right back! Just a sudden phone call from my roommates." You blurted out hurriedly, moving into the hallway before answering your phone.

"Oh...kay...?" Watching you leave the room, Cadence continued to sip her cup of tea and waited for you to return; the quizzical expression never fading from her face.

—

"What are you doing!?" You panicked into the phone right after picking it up. "It's really late at the moment...! And besides, Cadence will become really suspicious - more than she already is - and—"

"May I ask where you are at the current time, (Y/n)...?" Hannibal's polite voice drifted out from the phone, his familiar pleasantries interrupting you and calming you down ever-so-slightly.

"I...um...Well I'm just...spending the night at my friend's apartment. Cadence was really nice...she made me some lavender tea..." You shyly confessed, deciding to tell him the truth and be completely honest.

"Oh? That's not what you told us when you decided to head out for a bit." The psychiatrist brought up with a hint of playfulness - his mischievous remark forcing you to grow flustered.

"—So if you'll excuse me, I think I want to head out for a bit and get some fresh air."

"Well, I...I was offered..." You stammered apprehensively. "I-It's not like I was imposing or anything...! She said a sleepover could be fun...! Y'know, because she's been having nightmares and such herself...!"

"I see...So you're staying over to soothe your friend...?" Hannibal summarised charmingly, his respectful personality shining through while he awaited your reply.

"Y-Yes...! Yes I am..." You lied without a second thought, feeling a little guilty as you flashed a look towards Cadence and carried on talking. "I'm a tiny bit worried that Freddy might be messing with her...so for tonight, I think I might just spend some time with Cadence. So I'm sorry...I'm sorry for troubling you guys."

"Please don't apologise, angelo mio." He gently reassured, his tender tone stopping you from feeling guilty and making you feel comforted instead. "I think it's rather sweet - that you're staying over simply to keep her company."

"How are you feeling though...? Is everything okay over there...?" You questioned stressfully, realising that Norman could be freaking out and that Freddy was hugely self-centred. "I wouldn't want to cause you any trouble, considering the others' behaviour and all."

"Well, I wouldn't say Norman's too happy about your sleepover decision." Hannibal dryly notified you, his comment causing you to silently groan. "Pennywise was the one kind enough to tell us where you were, but I just wanted to clarify. Then again, he doesn't seem too happy about it either."

"Penny isn't...?" Bemusement clouded your voice while you became puzzled, not understanding why Pennywise was acting so strange. "That's...odd. How about Freddy...?"

"I think Krueger's just waiting for you to go to sleep, actually." The psychiatrist pointed out casually - sounding amused once he'd answered your question. "But please don't feel obliged to stay awake all night merely because of the unwanted admirers. Michael and Pennywise are both patrolling the area, so no-one will get past them. You have my word."

"Thank you." You thanked Hannibal affectionately, placing one hand against your heart as you still held the phone against your ear. "Really. I'm beyond grateful."

"Anything for you. Tu sei il mio tutto." He courteously replied, loving words causing your earlier embarrassment to flare up. "Ti amo, (Y/n)~"

"—I...I love you too..."