Go hug somebody, would you?

And just like that, only her embrace remains. The rest of the world is gone. Whatever conventional link you had with the world, it disappeared half a second ago.

The fear that had felt like jumping into a cold lake still tries to linger on you, the last bits of anxiety hopelessly attempting to stiffen your muscles, to straighten your posture, to make you blurt out anything so that your scrambled mind gets back in order and, just to double check, it even directs your view to whatever parts of her hair you can see. It's a person, right?

The last of the fear scurries off when you breathe in the scent that you now have accidental access to. Another thing that your senses say is more than enough to reassure you - her warmth is unmistakably inviting. It's the kind of warmth doesn't take long to latch onto your psyche and mesmerize you into giving it your undivided attention. Your understanding of the universe is now on a mental lane of simultaneous giving and receiving, and the lane has her tangible shape and form. She is your world now.

The mere way her fingertips move over your back tells a story that language could have a hard time telling. The premise of the story is simple enough, but words would doubtlessly try their darndest to transcribe a lengthy narrative of everything this rudimentary contact is causing you to believe - she cares about you, she wishes you to feel comfortable in her embrace, she enjoys playing with your back.

Feeling her torso press against yours is only added proof of two worlds working together, and feeling her ruffled, yet surprisingly silky hair through your fingers is just another simple truth - the more you linger here, the more things you'll discover. The more all of this makes you guess, the more you want to know. The more discoveries you make, the more things you can feel that you can't quite put a label on.

What about your own messages, though? What stories are you telling her? The hand that you deliberately put on her head probably crossed her mind (not that you have any logic behind it) and you thoroughly enjoy stroking her hair in this moment. But what about the things you're not aware of? Are you giving off the feeling that you're relaxed? She sure does. What about feeling tense? You shouldn't be tense anymore. What you do know, for sure, is that you're unusually comfortable enough to let yourself slump into her embrace, sinking into the cozy world she seems to have in store for you. Maybe it's better just to relax and enjoy this moment of caring tranquility.

Did she just push her head against your cheek? Cats do that; in fact, they're notorious when it comes to cuddling. They'll give you the softest headbutt in existence and they'll make sure it lasts long enough to show their affection, and then they'll knead on your lap thoroughly enough to make sure you get the message. Making biscuits, people call it. They'll purr on you the entire time for good measure, making it more than obvious that they're enjoying it. You're about to tell her about it, if just to break the awkward silence.

She tugs on you. It can wait. It's cuddle time. You're not a cat but you could purr.

She slowly brushes her arms along your sides, takes her time to trace her hands over your back until you feel them meet each other in the middle. She then proceeds to give you a slow, deliberate, tight squeeze with her entire body. Judging by the way her intensity doesn't falter for a single moment, she's not planning to let go any time soon. You'll live. The important thing is, amidst all of this, you're starting to feel things that you have a strong desire to make her feel as well. You tighten the embrace too, searching within your soul for a way to make sure it's conveyed.

If there is any familiar feeling arising from this (between mom, dad, grandmas, grandpas, siblings, lovers, strangers, friends, any people residing in the back of your head), it may be because they had nothing to lose by showing you what they felt. Hugs have the power to make beautiful memories for a reason, as they may attempt to convey such an amount of unfiltered love that it's bound to remain within you in its purest form.

Her embrace finally gets softer, but this hug has no intention of leaving your memory either. Was that a huff of joy you just felt on your skin? Did you just feel her cheek smile against your own? The longer you're attached to one another, the stronger this feeling gets - this exchange between your two worlds feels very comfortable. These worlds want to feel welcome with one another. This hug is just an example of how they can bring joy to each other, how they have no qualms about exploring each other. They feel like they're already doing so with a lot of care involved, and they intend to make the feeling better the deeper they delve.

It's an effortless connection that may as well give a hint as to how it feels when two souls willingly intertwine. You can feel her chest slowly rise when she breathes in, then gently fall when she breathes out. Even with a fact of life as simple as breathing, you can't shake the feeling that you're meeting more of her simply by feeling the gentle way her body works. She can surely feel yours, too, in this carefree moment of comfortable affection. So, in the end, you're both reciprocating your unintended displays of your inner selves just by being there with each other.

Where the feeling of empowerment suddenly comes from is completely beyond you. Maybe it's from strengthening your bond with someone? A new one you weren't expecting to happen? At least it feels like it's there. Maybe it's that feeling of care now residing inside of you. Or maybe you needed a hug?

She finishes the hug with a peck on your cheek.