Hanna looks up at you, her expression a mixture of surprise and relief. She can tell that you're being sincere, and it means a lot to her to hear those words from you.
"R-really? You don't think I'm less of a woman just because I'm small and petite?"
You shake your head, giving her a warm smile.
"Of course not. You're just as much of a woman as any other. Sure, you may not have the curves of some of the other girls, but that doesn't mean anything. Being petite and small doesn't make you any less of a woman, and I wouldn't change anything about you."
You lay down with her, wrapping an arm around her small frame and pulling her closer to you. She snuggles up against you, her head resting on your chest as she lets out a small sigh of contentment.
Hanna looks up at you, her expression full of gratitude and affection. She smiles softly, her voice soft and earnest as she thanks you.
"I really appreciate everything you've done for me in the past week. I was completely lost and alone, and you took me in and took care of me. You have no idea how much it means to have a safe place to call home, and to have someone to care about me."
Hanna looks at you with a mix of wonder and gratitude in her eyes. For so long, she had been alone and unwanted, forced to survive on the streets. Now, she has a home, a warm, safe place to stay, and someone who cares about her.
"I never thought I'd experience these kinds of emotions either. To feel so safe and cared for, to know that there's someone who truly cares about me. It's...it's more than I ever could have hoped for."
She snuggles closer to you, her small body pressing against yours. She wraps her arms around you, holding you tightly, as if trying to prove to herself that this is all real, that she isn't dreaming.
"Thank you, thank you so much for everything. I don't know what I'd do without you."
You hold her close, wrapping your arms around her and holding her tight. You can feel the gratitude and relief in her embrace, the way her arms cling to you like she never wants to let go. It warms your heart to know that you've been able to give her a sense of safety and security, a home where she feels loved and cared for.
"You don't have to thank me. I'm just glad I could be here for you, to give you the home and love you deserve."
Hanna feels tears well up in her eyes, her expression melting into a mix of joy and overwhelming emotion. For so long, she had been alone and unwanted, and now she's found someone who cares for her, someone who has given her a home and a sense of belonging.
"I...I don't know what to say. I've never had anyone care about me like this before. Having a home and someone to love...it means more to me than you could ever know."
You rub her back soothingly, trying to offer her some comfort. You can feel her small body shaking against yours, the emotions she's feeling finally bubbling to the surface. You've known for a while now how important your company is to her, how much she craves love and comfort after being alone for so long.
"Hey, hey, it's okay. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. You can let it all out, alright? I've got you."
Hanna nods weakly against your chest, her body trembling with suppressed sobs. She clutches at you tightly, holding onto you like a lifeline. She takes another ragged breath, and then finally lets go, letting the tears flow freely down her face.
"I'm...I'm sorry, I just can't help it. I'm just so happy and relieved and...and...I don't know how to handle all these emotions…"
You hold her tightly, your hand still rubbing her back soothingly. You murmur soft, comforting words to her, reassuring her that it's okay to cry, that she doesn't have to hold anything back.
"It's alright, just let it all out. You've been through a lot, and you have every right to feel overwhelmed. Just let it all out, okay? I'm right here, I've got you."
Hanna nods again, her body shaking with the force of her sobs. She clutches you tighter, her face buried in your chest as she lets out the full force of her emotions. She cries for all the time she spent alone, scared and cold on the streets. She cries for all the nights she spent hungry and cold, praying for someone to come along and take her in, to give her a home and a warm bed to sleep in. She cries for all the years she spent feeling unwanted and unloved, like she was nothing more than a nuisance to be discarded.
You hold her through it all, never once letting go of her. You murmuring soothing words to her as she cries, your hands moving softly over her back and hair, trying to comfort her as much as possible. You can feel how much she needs this, how much she needs to let it all out.
It takes a while, but eventually Hanna's sobs start to subside. She takes a few more shaky breaths, her body still trembling from the force of her emotions. She pulls back slightly, looking up at you with watery eyes.
"S-sorry. I didn't mean to break down like that. It's just...I've been holding it all in for so long, and it just all...just came crashing out all at once."
You shake your head, gently wiping the tears from her face.
"Don't apologize. There's nothing to be sorry for. You've been holding it all in for a long time, you needed to let it out. It's okay, you're allowed to feel things, you know that right?"
Hanna nods, her expression still a bit shaky. She sniffles softly, trying to bring her emotions back under control.
"I know, I know. It's just...it's just hard sometimes, you know? To let it all out like that. I don't want to feel weak or vulnerable, I want to be strong and in control."
"Hey, being strong doesn't mean you have to hide your emotions. You don't have to be in control all the time. It's okay to let someone see your vulnerabilities, it doesn't make you weak. In fact, it takes a lot of strength to let someone in and show your true self." You say softly, your hand gently cupping her cheek.
Hanna leans into your touch, her eyes still watery from crying. She nods again, taking your words to heart. She knows that you're right, that it's okay to show her emotions, to let someone in.
"You're right. I know you're right. It's just...it's hard, letting someone see the parts of me that I've been trying to hide for so long. It feels so...exposed."
You stroke her cheek gently, your eyes filled with understanding.
"I get it, I really do. Feeling exposed and vulnerable like that is scary. But you don't have to push me away or hide things from me. I'm not going to judge you for having emotions, you know that, right? I want to be here for you, the good and the bad. So don't hesitate to lean on me, okay?"
Hanna looks up into your eyes, searching for any hint of deception or falsity. But all she sees is sincere care and understanding. She lets out a small sigh, her shoulders slumping a bit as she relaxes into your touch.
"I...I know. I trust you, I do. It's just...it's hard to get used to. To having someone to lean on, to having someone who cares about me."
You smile softly at her, your hand still cupping her cheek. You can see the conflict in her eyes, the struggle between her desire to be strong and independent, and her growing need for comfort and support.
"It's okay, it's okay. You don't have to be used to it right away. It takes time. But I'm always here for you, no matter what, okay? You don't have to face the world alone anymore."
Hanna nods, her expression a mix of gratitude and relief. She leans into your touch, her eyes closing momentarily as she relaxes even further. She takes a deep breath, her voice soft and a touch unsteady.
"Thank you, really. For everything. For taking me in, for giving me a home, for caring about me. I...I don't think I could ever repay you for this."
You shake your head, your smile growing even softer.
"You don't owe me anything. You don't have to repay me, just...just promise me one thing, okay?"
Hanna's brows furrow slightly in curiosity, her eyes opening again to look at you questioningly.
"What is it?"
You gently brush a stray strand of hair away from her face, your thumb tracing the outline of her ear.
"Promise me that you'll be honest with me. About everything, no matter how embarrassing or difficult. I don't want you to hold anything back, or pretend to be okay when you're not. I want to be there for you, to help you, but I can't do that if you're not being upfront with me."
Hanna's eyes widen slightly at your words, clearly taken aback. She stares at you for a few moments, her expression a mix of hesitation and uncertainty. But then she nods slightly, her eyes lowering.
"I...I promise, I'll try to be honest with you. I want to be open with you, I really do. I just...I just have a hard time talking about certain things..."
You nod in understanding, your hand still gently caressing her ear.
"I know you have a hard time talking about certain things. I know it makes you feel vulnerable and exposed. But I promise you, I won't judge you. I won't think any less of you for having emotions or fears. I just want you to feel comfortable enough around me to share anything and everything, no matter how big or small. Can you handle that?"
Hanna's shoulders droop slightly, and she lets out a shaky sigh. She glances up at you, her eyes a mix of insecurity and determination.
"I...I'll try. I really will. I just can't promise I'll be perfect at it, okay? I'm still learning how to let people in, how to be vulnerable. It's going to take some time for me…"
You nod again, your expression filled with understanding and reassurance.
"I know it will take time, and I'm not expecting you to be perfect at it right away. I just want to see you making an effort, that's all I ask. I'll be here for you every step of the way, no matter what. We'll get there together, okay?"
Hanna takes a deep breath, her eyes looking to the side as she considers your words once again. She's hesitating, clearly afraid to put herself out there, to be vulnerable in a way she's never been before. But she also sees the sincerity in your eyes, the love and patience that fills your gaze. And she wants to try, she really does.
"Okay. I...I'll try. For you, I'll try."
You smile, a mixture of relief and love in your expression. You give her ear a gentle tug, drawing her attention back to you.
"That's all I ask. And remember, you don't have to tell me everything at once. Take your time, go at your own pace. Just...don't push me away completely, okay? Even if you don't want to talk about something, at least say as much. Can you do that for me?"
Hanna nods, her eyes meeting yours once again. She takes another deep breath, her shoulders straightening slightly. She looks a bit more determined now, like she's pushing her insecurities and fears down to focus on the task at hand.
"I'll do my best, I really will. I won't push you away, I promise. I just...I just need some time before I'm completely comfortable with all this, okay?"