**Chapter 1: A Lonely Night**

The silence of the night was only broken by the soft hum of the air conditioner, a constant companion to my lonely vigil. I sat on the sofa, my ears straining to pick up any sound that might indicate Hange's return. My eyes, though blind, seemed to bore into the darkness, willing him to appear before me. As I sat, my fingers fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, a nervous habit I'd developed over the years. The darkness was a comforting shroud, a reminder that I didn't have to face the world outside. But it was also a cruel taunt, a reminder that I was alone, and Hange was away, chasing his dreams without me. My mind, a jumble of fears and anxieties, whispered cruel things, telling me that I wasn't important, that Hange didn't care. But I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the sound of the door opening, the rustle of Hange's clothes as he entered. My heart skipped a beat as I heard his voice, husky from exhaustion, "Hey, sweetheart. I'm back.. today was pretty busy." I smiled, a goofy, lovesick grin spreading across my face. "Y-yes," I stuttered, my voice barely above a whisper. "I was waiting for you." Hange's footsteps faltered, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of guilt in his voice, "I'm sorry, I... uh... I'm just really tired, okay?" He sounded... off, and I couldn't quite put my finger on it. But I didn't care; he was home now, and that's all that mattered. I bounced up from the sofa, my ears ringing with excitement, and took a step forward, my hands outstretched. "H-Hange..." He sighed, the sound like a deflated balloon, and said, "I'm sorry, I can't cuddle right now.. I'm too tired and all I want to do is sleep..." His voice was... firm, almost, and it made my heart sink. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, streaming down my face as I felt my separation anxiety spike. I didn't understand why Hange couldn't cuddle; didn't he love me? Didn't he want to hold me? The thoughts swirled in my head, a maelstrom of fear and abandonment. My mind, already fragile, began to unravel, regressing to a state of infancy. I was a lost, scared child, overwhelmed by the world. The sensory overload, always simmering just below the surface, boiled over, and I felt my body begin to shut down. A fever raged through me, leaving me weak and trembling. Hange's eyes widened as he realized what was happening, his face etched with concern. "Baby, no, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..." He rushed toward me, but I was already lost, drowning in a sea of fear and anxiety. The world went dark, and I was left alone, adrift in a stormy sea, crying out for a love that seemed so far away.