Phonophobia

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"She's fine Chris, the doctor told you so." A feminine voice passed through my ears.

"She's not fine Veronica, she's not! I cancelled gun practice in the morning for a reason. I made you guys train at the HQ for a goddamn reason!" Payne's frustrated voice blurted, I could hear footsteps pacing back and forth. "She's scared of loud noises and sounds, Vera."

"Why?" Vera asked.

The was a pregnant pause and then Payne –– sounding disappointed –– said;

"I don't know."

The footsteps stopped and the bed dipped beside me.

"That means she has Phonophobia. Why didn't you tell us? Why didn't you tell me? I could've––"

"What could you have done Vera? Stick with her everywhere she goes? Stick ear plugs in her ears when necessary?" He retorted savagely. "It was not my place to tell you."

I tightened my closed lids as I felt my heart melt down.

Sweet death.

"I understand Chris, but you know she's safe right? She's okay, right here, with you."

There was a prolonged silence and then I felt something brush my cheek. I stiffened and the brushing seized too.

Then the brushing continued and strands of hair were tucked behind my ear.

"I know." Payne said in a monotonous voice.

"Ok, I'll see you later." Vera said. "Say hi for me when she wakes up."

And then the door opened and closed silently.

The bed felt light as Payne got off it, I heard his footsteps traveling to where his study desk was and after a few seconds I heard a soft click on the desk which meant he had removed his watch.

There was more shuffling sounds before his foot steps emerged the bed and I felt it dip. Hot minty lemon breath rushed to my face.

"There's a millipede crawling up your chin, Baybi." Payne stated calmly, his breath fanning my face.

I immediately sprang up the bed like I was jolted with electricity. I smacked my chin and jaw furiously in an attempt to slap it off.

"Gerrit off! Gerrit off!" I squealed lowly.

Abruptly, two of my hands were off my face and pinned to my sides, on the bed.

I pried my eyes open and held the gaze of the handsome man in front of me.

"Seriously Baybi, if a millipede was crawling up your skin, I wouldn't have to tell you for you to know." Payne said, his voice deeper than usual.

"Uh, hey." I mumbled, beyond embarrassed.

Well in my defense, I freaked out.

"You're silly." He chuckled palming my cheek in his hand. "How do you feel?" He asked staring into my soul.

A truck of embarrassment crashed unto my face as I felt heat rush up my neck, invading my cheeks.

"I'm okay and I'm sorry you had to see that again," I mumbled. "I just can't control it."

"You don't have to apologise for having an attack Baybi," Payne said sternly. "You passed out last night. You need to eat something. There's a few pills you have to take."

I nodded slowly.

"I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't found me. Thank y–"

"It wasn't me." Payne cut me off, his expression turning stone.