"Thank you, my pretty one. I would hate to think of you in the hands of those seriously disturbed individuals." Hannibal kissed Huaisang's forehead gently, before listening quietly. Ah, this probably stemmed from a childhood trauma of being left alone by parental figures. That probably fueled a lifetime of abandonment issues that Huaisang ignored by filling the holes with objects, lovers and ... something else. This man was too clever to be that shallow.

"Oh, my pretty one ... that had nothing to do with you, and everything to do with them feeling insecure in their relationship without you being there as a third anchor. I have seen it many times in my practice - people rushing into commitment to prove that they are committed. I am not saying your former lovers are in trouble -- but I see this pattern repeating itself for them many times in their marriage." He pulled Huaisang up into his lap to be fully enclosed in his arms.

"At any rate, it makes you no less loveable. However, is that something that you want? A full-time partner, a lover?"