**Chapter 1: "Echoes of Silence"**

The darkness enveloped me like a shroud, a constant reminder of the world I couldn't see. My ears, however, picked up every nuance of sound that surrounded me - the hum of the refrigerator, the chirping of birds outside, and the soft rustle of fabric as someone moved beside me. I flinched, my hypersensitive skin reacting to the gentle touch on my arm. A soothing voice whispered in my ear, "Hey, it's okay, I'm here." Hange. My beloved Hange. As I lay in his arms, I felt a sense of security wash over me. His towering presence, 6ft 10in of pure muscle and strength, made me feel safe. I loved rubbing my face against his six pec abs, feeling the veins in his arms, and listening to the rhythmic beat of his heart. It comforted me, calmed the storm that raged inside my mind. I was a complex mess of emotions, a tangled web of diagnoses and labels. Severe autism spectrum disorder, blindness, and separation anxiety, all mixed with age regression issues that made me mentally regress to a state of infancy. My dad had abandoned me at birth, leaving a gaping hole in my psyche that seemed impossible to fill. But Hange was here now, and he took care of me like no one else ever had. As I began to regress, Hange's voice took on a gentle, paternal tone. "Hey, little one, it's okay. I'm here. You're safe." He lifted me into his arms, cradling me like a newborn, and I felt my mind slip further into the abyss of infancy. I sucked on my favorite sippy cup, filled with the specialized formula Hange had prepared just for me. Solid foods were a no-go; my sensitive stomach couldn't handle it. Hange settled onto the couch, his veiny hands supporting me as I lay against his chest. I nuzzled my head into the crook of his neck, inhaling the scent of his cologne. It was intoxicating, a heady mix of masculinity and protection. I whimpered softly, my mind fragmenting into a million pieces, and Hange's soothing voice whispered, "Shh, it's okay, I'm here. You're my little one, and I'll take care of you." As I drifted further into regression, Hange began to hum a soft melody, one that I'd grown to associate with comfort and safety. His chest rumbled beneath my ear, a vibration that seemed to calm my very soul. I was lost in this world of darkness and sound, but with Hange by my side, I felt a strange sense of peace. The world outside receded, and all that mattered was the gentle rocking motion of Hange's breathing, the warmth of his skin, and the comforting sound of his voice. I was home, in this strange, fragile bubble of love and protection. And as I sucked on my sippy cup, I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be - in Hange's arms, surrounded by the echoes of silence.