**A Life of Overwhelming Senses**

I whimpered softly, my fragile body trembling beneath the worn blanket that covered me. I was surrounded by darkness, the complete and utter blackness a comforting shroud that shielded me from the world's intrusive gaze. As a blind individual, I had grown accustomed to the silence and the solitude, but it was my autism spectrum disorder that made every sound, every sensation, feel like a crushing weight on my delicate mind. I was hypersensitive to everything – a gentle breeze could shatter my composure, and the soft hum of a fly could send me spiraling into chaos. My thoughts were a jumble of fragmented memories and emotions, anchored by the unwavering love I had for Hange, my boyfriend and section commander of the Survey Corps. His strong presence was my anchor in the turbulent sea of my mind, and without him, I felt lost and adrift. But even his love couldn't erase the scars of my past. My father had abandoned me when I was just a baby, leaving me with a deep-seated fear of being alone and a crippling separation anxiety that clung to me like a shroud. As I lay there, I felt a familiar sense of unease creeping over me. I was safe, I knew I was, but my mind refused to listen. It whispered cruel doubts and fears, making my heart racing and my breath catch in my throat. I was a prisoner in my own body, tormented by the cacophony of sensations that assaulted me from every angle. The mask I wore over my face was a constant reminder of my deepest insecurity – my disfigured skin, a cruel legacy from my abusive father. I only showed my face to Hange, trusting him with the fragile pieces of my soul. The others in the Survey Corps didn't understand, and they made sure to remind me of it every chance they got. Their taunts and teases cut deep, but Hange was always there to defend me, to shield me from the hurtful words and actions. He was my rock, my safe haven, and I clung to him with all my might. But even Hange's protection couldn't prevent the latest incident. I remembered the feeling of my mask being ripped off, the cool air caressing my disfigured skin, and the sound of my own whimpers turning into uncontrollable sobs. I felt so exposed, so vulnerable, and the sensory overload was suffocating. Hange's angry voice cut through the chaos, his hands closing around the throats of my tormentors. "How dare you bully my little boy," he growled, his words dripping with menace. "Do you have any idea what he's gone through?" As I listened to Hange's words, I felt my body begin to shut down. The sensory overload was too much, and I started to feel sick. A high fever raged through my veins, and I knew I was in trouble. Hange realized it too, his face etched with concern as he gathered me into his arms. "We have to get you out of here," he whispered, his voice soft and urgent. "Your condition is getting worse, and I don't think you can handle much more." I knew what that meant – retirement from the Survey Corps. I had always known it was a possibility, but I had hoped to avoid it. Now, as Hange prepared for my early retirement, I felt a sense of trepidation wash over me. What would happen to me next? Would I be able to cope with the world outside the Corps? Commander Erwin's voice echoed through the room, his words a low rumble that Hange responded to. "My boyfriend has to retire early due to his condition getting severely worse," he explained, his voice firm and resolute. I buried my face into Hange's chest, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over me. He was taking care of me, always. But as I listened to the sound of his heartbeat, I knew that this was only the beginning of a new chapter in my life – one that would be filled with its own set of challenges and uncertainties.