**Chapter 1: Behind the Mask**

I'm sitting in a crowded room, surrounded by the murmur of hushed conversations and the occasional clanging of equipment. My ears ache from the cacophony of sounds, and I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of sensory overload. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to shield my sensitive skin from the vibrations of the air. As a person with severe autism spectrum disorder, I'm extremely hypersensitive to everything around me. The bright fluorescent lights above flicker and hum, making my eyes water, even though I'm blind in both eyes. My mind is a jumble of thoughts, but they mostly revolve around one person: Hange. My beloved boyfriend is the section commander of the Survey Corps, and I feel safe when he's by my side. He's the only one who truly understands me, and I trust him with my life. I think back to our early days together, and how he stood by me despite my severe age regression, which left me mentally like a newborn baby. I've always been drawn to boys, and Hange is the love of my life. As I sit here, I can feel my anxiety spiking. My father's abandonment when I was just a baby left deep scars, and the fear of being alone is a constant companion. I try to push those thoughts away, focusing instead on the gentle hum of Hange's voice in my ear. He's always been my rock, my safe haven. But even with Hange's love and support, I'm still struggling to cope with the aftermath of my abusive past. My face is disfigured, and I've kept it hidden beneath a mask for as long as I can remember. The pain and shame of those memories still linger, making me feel like I'm not worthy of love or acceptance. That's why I've kept my face hidden, only showing it to Hange when we're alone. He doesn't care about my appearance; he loves me for who I am, and that gives me the strength to face the world. Or at least, it did. The sound of footsteps approaching makes my heart sink. I recognize the jeers and snickers of the Survey Corps members, and my anxiety spikes. They've always bullied me, teasing me about my mask and my disability. Hange's always stood up for me, but today, he seems distracted. One of them approaches me, their hand reaching out to grab my mask. I try to shrink away, but my body feels rooted to the spot. "Hey, take off the mask, freak!" they sneer. I whimper, feeling a wave of panic wash over me. Hange's not here to protect me, and I'm completely at their mercy. In a split second, the mask is ripped off my face, and I'm confronted with the cruel stares of the Survey Corps members. I feel like I'm drowning in their contempt, my disfigured face exposed for all to see. I start to cry, uncontrollable whimpers racking my body. I'm so scared, so ashamed. I just want to hide. That's when I see him – Hange, his eyes blazing with fury as he takes in the scene before him. He strides towards me, his hands grasping the bullies by the throat. "How dare you," he growls, his voice low and menacing. "Do you have any idea what he's been through? The pain, the suffering? You're all just a bunch of heartless idiots." I sob, feeling a mix of relief and shame. Hange's here, and he's protecting me. But I'm still scared, still hurting. The sensory overload is suffocating me, and I just want to escape. As Hange's arms wrap around me, holding me close, I feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I'll be okay. Maybe with Hange by my side, I can face whatever comes next. But for now, I just need to hold on to him, and let him be my safe haven in a world that seems determined to hurt me.