Sorry for strange wording and potential mistakes, not a native English speaker. I struggle sometimes to describe my inner thoughts, but this time they don't want to stay hidden.
I love your story and your writing, and every character. And... From the way you write, I got the sense that you went through many things you describe in your story... personally? Not the exact situations, maybe, just... These are very specific thoughts and emotions. But I could be wrong. It's not my place to make any assumptions, anyway. Okay, enough of my weirdness, to the story itself:
I love Ash so much it genuinely hurts 💙 But it hurts sooo good. I can on some specific levels/things relate to my MC deeply (have they endured loneliness with grace?), and each scene between them have big healing (pun not intended, truly) effect on me. So much softness, gentleness and yearning 😭 I'm like a starved beast, finally to be fed, haha. Personal favorite? That moment in ch6 when MC said they ever wanted only one thing - for someone to not let go of their hand even if it hurts, and Ash then said they won't let go... destroyed me in the best sense. Reminds me of a line from a poem by Leila Chatti: "I walked into the ocean. Not to drown but to be held by something reluctant to let go." Or maybe “Like any unloved thing, I don’t know if I’m real when I’m not being touched.” by Natalie Wee. Feels very fitting for my Oracle MC. And at the same time, I think about how it would feel for them to be touched and not be afraid. For it to end and for it to continue.
Bawled my eyes out all over again, ANYWAY, thanks)) Be well and have a good day/night.