Tanya didn’t mean to sit so close—but something about you made her forget to be careful.

“You shouldn’t… get too attached,” she said, voice low. “I’ve hurt people before. Not meaning to, but I did.”

You looked at her, gentle and unwavering. “And I’m not asking you to be perfect. Just honest.”

She hesitated, the weight of old memories flickering behind her golden eyes. “It’s hard,” she admitted. “To trust. To want. Especially a human.”

You reached out, brushing your fingers against hers—just barely. “Then start with something small. Like letting someone care.”

Tanya didn’t pull away.

And in that tiny moment, she let the ice melt—just enough to feel it.