fall for you (Sally Face x Reader) BOOK ONE, COMPLETE (book two continues here)

Chapter thirty-five: breathe

Im so sorry if there's any mistakes, I'm writing this at 3am and I got my vaccine so I'm like TIRED tired with slight headache

Sals P.O.V

I couldn't handle being in the vicinity.

I felt so powerless to what just happened and it really fucked me up.

All I want to do is protect (Y/N), keep her away from all the bad in the world, and I couldn't do the simplest thing.

I don't know what to do. I'm scared I won't be able to keep her safe forever and I don't want to see the day I lose her because of it.

Tears streamed down my face and past my prosthetic, but I didn't even realize I was crying.

My body navigated around a corner and I pressed my back up against the wall. It was a secluded hallway with nobody in it.

I closed my eyes as sobs escaped from my mouth. Was I angry? Upset? I really couldn't piece it together, but I definitely wasn't okay.

"Sal?" Ash's familiar voice rang as footsteps echoed nearby. I took a shaky breathe as she almost passed the hallway but stopped in her tracks as she saw me. "Heya but.. why'd you run off like that?"

She stepped closer to me and I just shook my head and covered my face.

"It's okay, you don't have to talk. I'm here for you though if you need it" she cooed.

Ash has always been such a great friend and listener. I'm so grateful to have her in my life, even if our past relationship was rocky. We were still so close and caring for each other and it was a good thing to have.

I hiccuped and spoke quietly "I w-wanted to protect her.. a-and I just... didnt.. it wasn't e-enough and she got hurt..."

Ash pursed her lips to the side and sighed. "Sal, you know it's not your job to protect her, she can protect herself. She's not fragile, and while you are her boyfriend, the only thing that matters matters is you did everything in your power to help. It's not that it wasn't enough, there was just a lot happening at once. Nobody could've predicted Travis would do that."

She was right. He was fast and I never would've thought he'd actually lay a hand on her. It worries me to think about if it wasn't the first time an interaction like that happened between them.

My heart was still beating so fast and my vision was still blurry as hell. "I'm just so fucking upset with myself" I admitted.

She looked me dead in the eyes and grabbed my shoulders. "Sally Face, you are an amazing human being. You're allowed to be upset with the situation, but you shouldn't be upset with yourself. there's nothing you could've done, and there's no problem with that. You had no control but it's okay to not be in control sometimes."

I huffed and leaned my head back, practicing a breathing technique my therapist taught me.

Breathe in four seconds, hold three, and breathe out for five seconds.

Ash did make a lot of sense.

The world is a messed up place and in a situation where I have no control, I shouldn't be upset because I couldn't change the outcome. What happened, already happened and what matters is that I help any way I can to make it better.

I gulped and pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her, while sniffling. She gives really great advice. "Thanks Ash. For following me. And helping"

She squeezed me tight and laughed quietly "Anytime. Now let's get back to them and find everyone a fancy outfit."

I smiled and nodded feeling as if a weight was lifted off my chest.

I just need (Y/N) now.

Larry's P.O.V

(Y/N) was shaking in my arms and all I could do was hold her tighter than ever. I know when I'm in a really bad situation, pressure and body weight really helps me be calm, and I know she's the same way.

"You're okay. I've got you. Everything's gonna be alright" I whispered "do you need to sit?"

She nodded against my chest as I spotted a comfy chair in a sitting area close by.

"Jump up" I instructed, and she did so with ease.

She kept her face buried in me as I helped her hook my legs around my waist.

Poor girl. I can tell it really fucked with her.

I wanted to kill Travis so fucking bad.

If I ever see that dick again he's gonna be six feet under as soon as I get my hands on him.

I made my way to the lounging chair and sat down with her in my arms. She curled up comfortably and I could feel her grabbing onto the fabric of my shirt.

It was really sad seeing her like this.

"Shhh it's okay... you're safe.." I stated while pulling her in, letting my hand slowly pet her hair.

"W-where's Sal?" She piped up and gripped my shirt tighter.

"I don't know (Y/N)... he's probably close by, and I'm sure Ash caught up to him by now. But it doesn't matter, you need to focus on your breathing and mindset"

"B-but-"

I interrupted her quickly "(Y/N) he's probably worried sick about you, that's all. You were just physically assaulted and you're shaking like a wet dog. You need to focus, and stop overwhelming yourself. He's going to be okay. He just needs a second. And so do you"

I felt her nod slowly into my body as she shook less and less. She was working herself up more thinking about Sal so it was good to get her mind off.

"What's one blue thing you see?"

She lifted her head. "H-hm?"

I repeated the question.

(Y/N) looked around and nodded upwards "t-that sign there"

"Sweet, give me two red things now"

It was a technique her and I would use when either of us were having a panic or anxiety attack. It was a method of grounding ourselves or each other so that we could focus on the right-now instead of the stressors that got us to that point.

Her smile poked out for a second as she realized what I was doing

She listed them and I continued on, the number climbing harder was the color becoming less frequent.

By the time we got up to six, and the color yellow, her breathing was steady and her tears ceased to fall.

She was calm and it felt good to have her there.

"Are you better (Y/N)?" I asked.

She nodded and squeezed her eyes shut "my eyes burn bad"

I snickered "that's what happens when you cry a bunch. I looked up and saw the bright blue hair I could spot from a mile away and sighed in relief.

I'm glad he was coming back.

The two of them approached us, (Y/N) quickly getting off me once she noticed, and hugged Sal so hard.

I could tell with the way his eyes looked through his mask, he was crying. Red end glossy.

Either that or he's extremely stoned but I really don't think that's the case.

I smiled at Ash as she giggled at the two of them.

Sal was kissing the top of (Y/N)'s head sweetly as he profusely apologized under his breath and said all those cute mushy things you could say.

I groaned and stood up from the chair, putting my hands carefully back in my pockets.

We waited a bit for them to get their emotions all together, and to let them just relax in each other's arms.

I cleared my throat to get everyone's attention.

"So, is anyone up for a fashion show?" I quirked an eyebrow and chuckled