AN: Hi guys! So sorry for the late update to the second part of this fic. I wasn't entirely sure whether to continue, but I thought I couldn't leave you all hanging. I hope there's still some readers out there still interested!
The miscarriage hit us both hard. Neither of us would speak for days on end. I stopped eating, which caused me to lose an immense amount of weight. My complexion was paler and I looked tired.
It affected Hannibal in a different way. He completely shut down from then on. He wouldn't talk about his feelings and sometimes he wouldn't come home at all for days. I dreaded to think where he had been.
But two years later, things started to get better. Our relationship was improving, we were communicating more, even though we still had a long way to go. It changed us both, but the feelings we had for each other were still as strong, if not stronger.
The soft playing of piano music woke me from my restless sleep. I sat up, yawning before pulling the covers from my body and standing up. I glanced at the clock, sighing at the time.
Hannibal had been doing this a lot lately. Staying up till stupid hours in the morning, playing. I didn't like to disturb him, but he was running on virtually no sleep everyday, and it worried me sick.
I padded across the landing, standing outside the door to the music room. Suddenly, the music stopped.
Shit.
"Clarice, I know you are there. Please, come in." His smooth voice came from behind the door.
It was stupid of me really. He always knows when I'm there. My perfume and natural scent gives me away mostly. His sense of smell was extraordinary, as were his other senses.
I opened the door slowly, stepping into the room. I walked over to him, sitting beside him on the piano bench.
"Don't let me stop you from playing." I murmured, resting my head on his shoulder.
He nodded once, before his fingers began to glide across the keys gracefully. The tune was a sweet one, if not a little sad. Chopin, if I recall correctly.
I closed my eyes, breathing deeply as I submerged myself into the music. I love the way he played, and I loved him a whole lot more.
Once he had finished the piece, he sat back a little, lacing his fingers together before placing them in his lap.
"Something wrong, H?" I said softly, kissing his shoulder.
"Nothing is wrong, my love." He replied.
His blank expression and the avoiding of eye contact made me think otherwise.
I could sense his hesitation and reluctance to tell me what was bothering him, which I understood. He didn't want to worry me.
Didn't he say there were no secrets between us?
I looked up at him, noticing he was preoccupied.
"Please tell me what's wrong, H." I said quietly, not taking my eyes off him.
"I have told you once before, Clarice. There is absolutely nothing wrong." He said flatly.
I knew something was bothering him, but also knew he wasn't going to tell me anytime soon. I stood up from the bench, about to walk away when his hand grabbed my wrist, pulling me back.
"H?"
"I don't mean to be-" He paused for a moment, choosing the right word to use. "Difficult."
"It's ok, H." I said, planting a lingering kiss on top of his head. "Don't hide your emotions. We're here to support each other."
"No more hiding emotions." He said, smiling weakly.
He stood from the bench, wrapping both of his arms around me before hoisting me up into the air and spinning me around. I giggled like a school girl before he put me back down again.
He then took my hand in his and lead me to his study. On opening one of the draws, he pulled out a key. He sighed to himself, before turning to me and placing the small brass key into my hand.
"I think you know what this goes to." He murmured.
I gazed down at the key that sat in my hand. I was confused at first, but then I realised.
The room.
We had been living in that house for years, and I was yet to step into the room that he had always kept locked.
"Are you sure, H?" I asked quietly.
"I love you, Clarice." Was all he said, before leaving the room.
I gulped hard, not even sure I wanted to see what was behind that door anymore.
You have a chance at finding out. Don't throw it away. You might not get another.
I nodded to myself, walking slowly down the hallway before stopping in front of said door. I put the key into the lock, my hand shaking a little.
Get a grip Starling.
On hearing the lock click, I grasped the brass handle before pushing the door open.