UNDER EDITING 𝐺𝑅𝐴𝑉𝐸 𝐷𝐴𝑁𝐺𝐸𝑅 | 𝐴𝑃𝑂𝐶𝐴𝐿𝑌𝑃𝑆𝐸 ✔︎

Everybody Worries

(Jasper's POV)

Staring at Noah all teary eyed on his bed is the worst thing ever. I can't imagine how he's feeling right now.

"Noah... I made you some-"

"I don't have an appetite right now. I'm sorry."

I set the Mac and Cheese aside and scoot over so I'm sitting next to him. "Don't apologize. I wouldn't be hungry either. We can talk about it if you want?" I offer.

Noah gives me a sad look. I smile. "Or... we can just lay here. I'm fine with either I just want to know how to help you."

Noah wipes his eyes and smiles the smallest bit. "I know you would probably prefer the first option... but I don't think I'm ready to talk. I just... I already had to go through this not long ago. I don't want to think about it quite yet."

I just nod. "Of course. It's whenever you feel ready. I'm fine with laying here, that's why I offered it."

Noah smiles and rubs his eyes. I pull him into a hug and we lay down, completely silent.

"Jasper?" I hear Noah mumble into my shoulder.

"Yeah?"

"You're the best person I know."

I grin at his words before kissing his cheek. Soon after, we both fall asleep.

(Noah's POV)

My eyes flutter open tiredly. The room is still dark.

I glance over at the alarm clock on my dresser. 4:38 a.m. I look beside me to see Jasper knocked out cold.

I sit up a bit and rub the sleep from my face. I didn't think any of us would ever die. I know that it sounds crazy but it really seemed impossible to me.

If it is in fact possible that we have as much of a chance of dying as everyone else, then why am I making an effort to be close with so many? Most everyone I meet either ends up dying or betraying us...

And what if that were to happen to someone I'm really close with. Well... it already did. My mom. What about Lexi or Cooper or...

...Jasper?

⚠️TW: Panic Attack

My heart begins to beat faster and faster. The thudding is all I can hear.

Fuck. Not this again.

This hasn't happened since... well I can't even remember... It's been awhile.

I stand up quickly and let out quick and deep breaths. Fuck, you're okay. You're fine.

I couldn't stop hyperventilating.

I walk over to my window quickly and open it, hoping the fresh air would do me some good.

My hands begin to shake. N-No.

It just feels like you're dying, remember? You're okay. It'll all be over soon.

"Noah?" I hear a raspy voice say. Jasper. Oh my God help.

I couldn't speak. "What's wrong?" He asks worriedly. I reach up to my chest and tap it rapidly.

He examines my actions for a moment before grabbing onto me and setting me on my bed slowly. "Here. Just take deep breaths. Think positive thoughts."

I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping to think of anything possible. Nothing, of course, comes to mind.

Jasper slowly puts an arm around my shoulder. "Remember that time, when we lived by the quarry, when that skunk sprayed me? I stunk for like a week, remember?" He stifles a nervous laugh.

My breathing is beginning to slow down.

"And that time we pranked Lexi by putting a frog in her tent? Yeah?"

The room wasn't as dizzy as it was before, and I was breathing normally.

"I... I remember that prank just coming from you. I didn't want to go near the frog." I say blankly. I found it funny actually, but for some reason I could not manage a laugh.

"He speaks." Jasper laughs, relieved. "How did you... how did you know what to do?" I question.

Jasper lets out a sigh and shrugs. "My dad used to have panic attacks. I always watched Cooper help him so I kinda caught on." I nod in understanding.

"Thank you, Jasper." I lean against his shoulder weakly. "They've never stopped for me that quickly. I usually black out before anyone can stop it."

"This is normal for you?" He mumbles. "Uh... well not recently. It happened before the whole apocalypse. All the time."

He nods in understanding. "Damn, I was scared shitless. Why didn't you wake me up right when it started happening?"

I run a hand through my hair. "I couldn't speak. It's like I wasn't in control of my body at all. I kept walking around and breathing heavily. I couldn't do anything myself."

Jasper quirks up an eyebrow and looks towards the door. "Should we let them know what happened? Or... at least Lexi right? We don't have to tell Cooper if you're embarrassed-"

"Jasper, it's fine. There's not much she can do anyway now. It's already over." I shrug. Truly, I wasn't sure if it was fine. Why did these panic attacks have to come back?

"We should... we should get back to sleep then. I think you'll be less likely to have that happen again if you rest."

I nod. Jasper hugs me so tightly when we lay down and he doesn't let go for the rest of the night. I think my panic attack scared him more than me, somehow.

Time skip to a few hours later~

(Cooper's POV)

I've been up for about an hour making breakfast. I need to talk to Jasper about some... crying noises I heard from Noah's room? I'm not even sure but they were loud. I hope he was okay.

A door creaks open just down the hall and an exhausted looking teenager makes his way into the kitchen.

"Morning Jasper." I say. He just nods his head and groans. "I have a question for you."

"Why did I hear extremely loud crying coming from Noah's room last night. Or... at least I think that's what that was. Weren't you there with him?" I ask.

He nods. "I was. Actually, last night Noah had... a panic attack."

My eyes widen. "What? Why didn't you come get us?" Jasper runs a hand through his hair. "It was happening so fast. He was breathing heavily and before I knew it he looked like... like he was going to die or something."

"We're you able to calm him down?" I inquire. He nods slowly. "Yeah. I just talked to him about positive things we've done together. Funny moments from the past. Stuff like that. It took him a minute... but he ended up being okay."

"I... I uh... I don't say this often but I'm... I'm proud of you."'I mumble. Jasper rolls his eyes. "Oh. Uh, thanks? I didn't do much of anything."

"Sure you did. You were yourself. You helped him tremendously."

Jasper nods sheepishly. "Thanks, Cooper."

Suddenly, Lexi and Noah walk into the kitchen. "Morning." Lexi smiles weakly. I stand up and kiss her sweetly. Jasper seems to whisper to Noah, probably asking him if he's okay. I assume he's whispering because he doesn't want Lexi to worry.

I was about to say something when a knock was heard at the door. I quirk up an eyebrow and make my way towards the door, swinging it open.

"Jeanine?-"

"Cooper, come quick. All of you."

A/N- Cliffhanger 😏😏 anyway i hope y'all enjoyed a little something other than serotonin in Jasper and Noah's relationship for once. 😁😁