gameimagines:

whimpers; gladiolus imagine

warning (idk better safe than sorry): description of panic attacks

a gladiolus x reader fic that no one asked for but is oddly therapeutic. idk anxiety is no stranger to me and sometimes it’s nice to think of your favorite characters supporting you. will fill some requests tomorrow though!

☆彡

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Hiccups echoed in the vacant bedroom. Your eyes were blurred with salty tears, your cheeks glistened with their trails. Pain vibrated in your chest. Had your lungs always felt this small? You gulped, praying to the astrals above to give you the strength to reign in your breath. Your body was racked with violent sobs that shook your form. You knew you were at the decline of a panic attack but you weren’t sure how to calm down. Your heart was still pounding and even though you were laying on your side in bed, you were sweating like you were running a marathon. Cold sweat beat down your face and intertwined with your tears.

The apartment door opening broke the sounds of your gasps. Gladiolus was home. You thought about flipping over and locking the bedroom door but you were immobilized. You couldn’t get your eyes to shift into focus, let alone control your body enough to walk to the door without collapsing. You sucked in. It hurt, gods it hurt.

“Y/N?” The bedroom door creaked open, the wood brushing against the white carpet floor. The burly shield’s eyes flickered to your trembling form on the bed. “Y/N-! What’s wrong? Astrals!” Gladiolus swore under his breath as he took swift strides to reach you. He reached to grab you – you flinched. “Y/N, are you hurt? What’s going on?” The brunette laid a calloused hand on your shoulder, gently trying to flip you over.

“I’m not-! Gladiolus, I can’t-!” You wheezed, your breath picking up again. His amber eyes flashed with realization. The messy bed squeaked as Gladiolus’ weight pushed down on it. His arms wrapped under you and pulled you into his lap. You could feel his chest rumble against your back as he spoke. “Breathe in.” His deep voice began to pull you out of your head. “Breathe in for four seconds.” You inhaled as he instructed. “Good,” he praised, “now hold it for seven seconds.” You counted to five before the air was pushed out of your lungs prematurely. “I-I can’t,” you panicked.

“Yes you can, come on babe breathe in for four and then hold for seven.” Gladiolus rubbed his palms down your arms. You sucked air in for four seconds, managing to hold it in for seven. “Atta girl, now breathe out for eight seconds.” He walked you through these steps several times until you could control your breathing once more. He rested his chin on top of your head, the shield’s body radiating heat. “You wanna talk about it?” Gladiolus prompted. You shook your head, moving his chin from side to side.

“No…not right now” you whispered, “I’m sorry.” The giant man encasing you also shook his head, “No, I understand. It’s nothing to apologize for.” He pressed a kiss to your head. “I’m here to listen if you need it, though.” A small smile graced your lips, “I know,” you responded. Gladiolus’ firm arms gave you a light squeeze. You were strong, he had no idea how you managed to deal with anxiety as well as you did. “Hey,” he started, his voice soft as he spoke.

“I’m proud of you. You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.” Gladiolus’ words were genuine. This wasn’t the first panic attack he’d seen you have and despite his hopes he knew it likely wasn’t the last but, you’d pulled yourself through them before and he knew you could do it again. If nothing else you were resilient. No matter how awful you felt, no matter what your opinion of yourself was – you’d made it this far and you weren’t stopping now.

“Come on, let’s get you some tissues and get some rest.”