A Fragile but Hopeful Start

As we sat there, hands entwined, I could feel the tension between us slowly dissipating. Hange's eyes, once filled with desperation, now seemed to hold a glimmer of hope. I smiled weakly, trying to reassure him that I was okay, that I was willing to work through this with him. Hange's fingers intertwined with mine, tracing gentle patterns on my skin. It was a soothing touch, one that I had grown accustomed to over the years. He knew exactly how to calm me down, how to make me feel safe. And yet, I couldn't shake off the feeling that we were standing on fragile ground. The room around us was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioner in the background. It was a peaceful atmosphere, one that I had always found solace in. But now, it seemed to amplify the uncertainty that lingered between us. Hange's gaze drifted away from mine, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something. I followed his gaze, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. The same familiar furniture, the same walls adorned with memories. And yet, I could sense that he was looking for something more, something that would help him navigate this new terrain. As he turned back to me, his eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the determination there. He was going to make this work, no matter what it took. I felt a surge of love and gratitude towards him, and I knew that I was willing to do the same. "Hey," he said, his voice low and husky. "Can I ask you something?" I nodded, my heart beating slightly faster. "What's it like, for you?" he asked, his eyes searching mine. "When you're feeling anxious, I mean. What does it feel like?" I took a deep breath, trying to put into words the emotions that swirled inside me. "It's like...have you ever been in a storm, and you're not sure if you're going to make it through?" I asked. Hange's brow furrowed, and he nodded slowly. "Yeah, I think so." "That's what it's like," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's like being in the midst of a tempest, with no control over the outcome. I'm just trying to survive, to make it through to the other side." Hange's face was etched with understanding, and he pulled me into a gentle hug. "I'm here, baby," he whispered. "I'm here to weather the storm with you." As we hugged, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Maybe, just maybe, we were on our way to healing, to finding a way to navigate the turbulent waters of my anxiety together. And with Hange by my side, I knew that I could face anything that came our way.