In what other context can you take the words “I want to eat you” affectionately besides sexually unless you’re trying to tell me Hannibal can at times come off as affectionate when hungry
You said as a joke
Maybe your wording was wrong?
You can joke "I'm going to eat you" if a friendy opponent says he is scared of you
Actually it would work as banter
Imagine Zhilei Zhang saying "I'm going to eat you alive" to Kabayel
Honestly, it can be a joke. I always joke to my friends about eating them or weird jokes and I'm pretty sure everyone does it. I guess there is sexual connotations behind it but it's mostly a joke and shouldn't be taken seriously?