Hannibal is walking upstairs to Clarice, to bring her to how he plans on relieving her from stress. Hannibal and Clarice live in a secluded area out in the country of Texas. It is warm outside and the stars are out and bright. There are fireflies blinking from time to time and grasshoppers steadily chirp through the silence. Laid out on their lawn is a plethora of blankets, red wine, and several snacks to munch on.

Hannibal knocks on the door just to make sure Clarice is descent and slips into the room. Clarice is in the bathroom looking at her face in the mirror and she turns around when she sees him approach her.

Hannibal closed his eyes slightly and grinned.

"Examining yourself?"

"Maybe. Does that bother you, Hannibal?"

"Not at all. Come, Clarice. Our evening is prepped and ready."

Clarice put her hand in Hannibal's and let him guide her down the stairs and to the yard as if she was a small child. When she saw the setup she gave him a genuine, loving smile.

"You are quite the ladies' man, aren't you Hannibal?"

Hannibal lightly chuckled. "I guess you could say that."

Clarice's face glowed softly in the moonlight and her eyes glimmer as she looks up into the night sky.

Hannibal grasps this moment close. He captures it; and tucks it safely into a nice room in his memory palace.

"Clarice."

"Yes?"

"How do you not see your own beauty? When I see you look into the night, I can't help but feel your image throughout me."

Clarice grinned. "Are you suggesting that I turn you on?"

Hannibal reached for the wine and pulled out the cork. He handed a glass to Clarice and filled it, he took a small sip from his own before he spoke.

"I hope that you do not think my sexual desires for you possess all of me. I enjoy your company, and the everyday pleasures of love. I admire your intelligence and the liveliness you bring to my soul."

"So I DO turn you on?" Clarice teased.

Hannibal shook his head and laughed softly.

"If you must word it that way, then I guess I'd agree. What I'd like to know Clarice, is what has been weighing so heavily on you."

Clarice took a sip from her wine and snuggled up next to Hannibal.

"Old life tends to bother me now and then. That's all."

"Tell me about what you're feeling. Every thought you have, express and explain."

"Well, I worry about Mapp. She has to be mad that I left her. I know she looked for me and I gave her so little explanation. She really did deserve much more, Hannibal."

Hannibal looked lovingly at his partner as he ran his fingers through her silky brown hair.

"Ardelia was an important part of your life Clarice. I assume you were also an important part of hers. Someday, things will be settled between the two of you. You can't continue to dwell on what used to be. The only option now, is to live your life and love it."

"Thank you Hannibal." Clarice lifter herself off of him and kissed him gently on the cheek.

"I know there was more, Clarice."

"Was. The last thing you said was all I need. Loving life is something I've struggled to do ever since my father died. I've had a hole in my heart for years, and I think you've filled it."

"Clarice, do you remember how I told you I get angered by how when I dropped a teacup, it would stay broken, instead of coming back together?"

"Yes."

"Just yesterday, I dropped a teacup again. For the same reason as always; to see if it would piece it's self back together. It didn't- and I was okay with it."

"Why, Hannibal?"

"I always believed that there was a place for Mischa in this world, and I believed it was in your place for the longest time." Hannibal paused as if he questioned what he was about to say. "Now I see her place is in you, not in place of you."

Clarice smiled at the maroon-eyed man. She placed her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. Hannibal leaned his forehead on to hers and Clarice felt the love for Hannibal swell inside her chest.

"I love you, Clarice and I will give you all I have to offer for the rest of my life, if you will accept it."

Clarice rubbed circles into the back of his neck with her thumb as she kissed Hannibal on the nose.

"I love you too, Hannibal and there is no way I couldn't accept you."

Hannibal smiled softly and gently put his lips on Clarice's. Clarice replies by pulling him closer until his chest was pressed up to hers, and his groin touched her own. Hannibal placed his hands on her hips and gently laid her down. He unbuckled his pants and threw them to the side in a split second- he dreaded taking his attention off Clarice.

Clarice chuckled at his predator like stance over him and unbuttoned his shirt before taking off her robe. Helpful Hannibal quickly joined in by taking off her undergarments and Clarice quickly returned the favor.

Hannibal took a second to take in everything he was seeing. Every piece of her was gorgeous to him, and he was going to make sure it was entirely his.