This piece is titled "I Don't Fear Our Conversations". It's a sequel to my first submission to AZE, which depicted my search to find some sort of comfort away from my insecurities. Two years later, the comfort I was searching for has revealed itself. It's the conversations I have with myself, a type of intimacy that is reserved for me and my thoughts alone. These conversations are raw, uninhibited and often just complete nonsense, but ultimately, they're mine and I cherish that. I want nothing more than to know myself, I want to feel every part of my existence in a visceral way. I want to wear my heart over my body, make my thoughts wholly inseparable from my being. I'm not there yet, I may never get there, but I'm teaching myself to view the journey as it's own reward. My insecurities remain and they're just as much a part of me as my desire to become some idealized being of complete self-indulgence. For now, I'm content with having found sanctuary in my mind. I'll continue to explore it's depths and report my findings. Thank you.