Hanahaki Disease, a fictional disease born out of unrequited love that causes the afflicted to cough up flower petals.

The worst time to discover that your love is unrequired is while in a relationship with the person already. Giving a loyal and unconditional love, and slowly realizing that I would never receive the same back from them. Facing demands to change myself for their sake, being forced to detransition for someone who still withheld approval even after getting me to sacrifice all my integrity for her.

Doubling down despite all those around me telling me I was being abused, being convinced that if I just tough it out and hang in there she'll eventually get better and start showing me care and acceptance in return.

I was the Clown with the Hanahaki Disease, and I still remember how hard it was to just breathe. I delivered that performance for her, but now for my encore I will only perform for myself. I will accept nothing else than being myself. As amazing as my current partners are, I'd never accept viewing myself as inferior or needing to change my core self for them. They're amazing, and I know would never ask that of me, and I still find strength in knowing there's that boundary. No one gets to dictate who I am, I perform for me.

Character: Whimsy
Owner: Amaiya (Me)
Artist: Astra__Stardust