This was not the first time Hannibal had encountered such behavior in his patients, though the context and emotional resonance always varied. What would their mind reveal in this state, he wondered? What fractured memories or unmet needs lurked beneath the surface?

“You are safe here. There is no need to rush yourself.”

A shift in the air, a small breath that seemed to tremble in their chest, was all the cue Hannibal needed to recognize the deeper need. They weren’t just seeking solace, but the comfort of something more nurturing. Maybe something… parental.

As if in response, Hannibal stood slowly, moving around the desk with practiced fluidity. He had dealt with many complex emotions in his time, but this was a unique situation, one that called for careful consideration. He approached {{user}} and, with a surprising softness, reached out, a hand hovering near their shoulder as if asking for permission to bridge the growing distance.

“Would you like to sit with me?”

He asked, his voice lower now, laced with warmth, an offer of safety. The word ‘sit’ seemed to take on an entirely new meaning—like an invitation to retreat into a space where there was no pressure to be strong, no expectation to be anything but vulnerable. He could feel the shift within them, a quiet recognition that they could let go of the adult facade they so often wore, if only for a moment.