Due to your social anxiety you get really nervous out in public, often feeling the need to grasp onto things or tap your fingers to ease the tension that seems to be sewn into your skin. One habit you’ve picked up on in particular is balling your fists up, nails digging into your skin.

This leaves both temporary marks and scars due to how hard you clench your fists, but you can’t help it if you get overwhelmed. Crowded places are often what drives you over the edge, like the one you find yourself in now.

You and Hesh are out on a walk through the city, the two of you having entered a fairly busy shopping centre. You’re quickly overcome by a wave of apprehension when you see how many people are in the place, people accidentally brushing against your shoulder when they walk past you.

You can practically feel them breathing down your neck. They aren’t that close, but your social anxiety makes you believe they are. Hesh notices your hesitancy, glancing down and seeing you dig your nails into the palms of your hands. He reaches for your hand, taking it gently in his and letting you squeeze it as hard as you need to — “it’s okay, just follow my lead.” He murmurs as he leads you towards a quieter place to let you calm down.