dexer oneshots | jackson's diary

lake

Short summary:

David has a panic attack due to a nightmare and Exer takes him to a place to help him get better.
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Exer's pov

"NO STAY AWAY FROM ME!"
I snapped my eyes open.  Resting on the soft pillow was David's sweet face. He was standing, sitting on the bed as I heard very labored breaths coming from his mouth.

"David, hey.." I also got up and stood in front of him so he could see me.  He didn't move, just gasped for breath.  His chest was heaving back and forth quickly, his eyes were empty, lost in space, his face was frightened.  My eyebrows curved upward.

"E-Exer..."
he let out between breaths in a cracked voice.

"I-I can't breathe..." his hand went to rest on his chest.  He squeezed the shirt between his fingers as if he was trying to rip out his heart.
At that moment my concern was skyrocketing.  Because of too much panic, it never occurred to me to go and call someone.

“David…hey…listen to me…” I put my hands on his shoulders.

"David... please.. calm down..." my voice trembled.  I didn't want to cry.  Not here in front of him.
I moved a hand to his face and placed it gently on his cheek.  At that moment he seemed so delicate under my touch. As if he was made of glass. I was afraid of hurting him.
His lost eyes returned their direction towards mine.  My heart skipped a beat at that moment.
His blue eyes filled with fear and tears starting to form broke my heart.

"David..." I moved my hand once more placing it on top of his. I grabbed it and gently placed it on my chest.

"Day...do you feel my heartbeat? now just focus on that okay?"  I tried to keep calm even though I was exploding inside.
This was a little technique my father had taught me that he used to calm me during my panic attacks. Now I just wanted David to be okay. I just wanted that terrible moment to end as soon as possible.
His eyes still resting on mine made me go haywire.  But I was sure that at that moment he was listening to me.

“breathe with me now… breathe in… breathe out… breathe in… breathe out…” I noticed his chest contract and relax at my words. We continued like this for a while until I noticed that he was a little better. His eyes were "coming to life". I calmed down too.

"hey..." I placed my hand on his cheek again catching his gaze which meanwhile had shifted downwards.

"Now I'm with you, no one can hurt you anymore..." I stroked his skin. it was so soft to my touch that I was completely captivated.
At one point small tears began to gather in the lower lids of his eyes. I pursed my lips trying to hold back my tears that I felt were about to come out.  I hated seeing him cry.
His lower lip began to tremble slightly and without me having time to realize he burst into desperate tears throwing himself into my arms.
He began to sob and sniffle as I felt the fabric of my shirt wet and moisten my skin.
With one hand he began to squeeze my shirt, it was as if he was afraid that at any moment I would run away and leave him alone. Which I would never, ever do.

"honey...it's alright...here I am" I brought my hand up to his head to squeeze him even tighter. My fingers stroked his soft golden hair. Hearing him cry like that destroyed me. But I knew that right now he needed it.
We stayed like that for a while until he pulled away from me and looked into my eyes.
My heart broke into a thousand pieces at the sight of his crying face.  His face moistened by the many tears that kept coming out, his beautiful blue eyes like the sea shiny red, eyelashes wet with tears and eyebrows curved upwards.

"You had a nightmare about your father, didn't you?"  I asked, getting a nod of my head in response.

"it's alright now honey...it can't hurt you anymore...i'm here" The corners of my lips stretched into a small smile receiving one from him as well.