Austeled one-shots

Server room comfort.

Requested by: Musiclovr4
Context: they don't know each other personally.

Austin's pov

I was headed to Todd's office, thin folder in hand. Reclamation. The name for the game idea I had. I wanted to present it to Todd so maybe it could become a fully fledged game.

On my way to his office, I saw the door to the server room and I figured I could take a shortcut through it to save time.

I stepped inside, closing the door behind me (-I'm not quite sure why, probably an old habit-). I looked around at the servers as I walked down the hall. If these servers weren't so organised, this room would be like a maze to navigate around.

The blinking red and green lights flashed in the dimly lit room, almost like walking down a street at night with all the street lamps.

Just as I was walking out, I heard a loud slam against one of the servers. I jumped, turning around sharply. There was no one on the main path. Was someone tampering with the servers?

"Hello?" I called out nervously. I heard a slight gasp, then silence. It sounded like it was coming from the very right of the room.

I began to walk to where I figured the noise had come from. As I got closer, I started to hear faint sobbing and shallow panicked breathing.

I turned the corner of the last server to see a man who looked a little older then me sat up against the server with tear-stricken eyes and a quick rise and fall in his chest.

He glanced up at me, quickly looking away when I returned his gaze.
"Are.." I paused, crouching down. "Are you okay?" He completely ignored me, covering his face with his hands.

Now usually, I would've just gotten annoyed and left him there. But there was a ache in my chest, like I actually cared about him. Ew. What a disgusting human emotion.

I sighed with slight annoyance, but also pity. I pried one of his hands of his face, loosely holding it in my own.
"Shh. It's okay." I whispered with assurance.

He continued to sob and hyperventilate, shaking violently. I gave his hand a slight squeeze. Globs of tears made their way down his cheeks, dripping onto his black shirt.

"Okay, I have an idea. But you're going to have to listen closely. Can you do that for me?" He asked. He nodded faintly in response.

"Okay, so hold your breath for three seconds." I instructed, using my hand to count the seconds. He did as asked and held his breath, inhaling sharply.

"Now breathe out for three seconds." He did as asked, still shaking and crying but the hyperventilating began to ease.
"Now hold for three seconds." He held his breath. "Now breathe in for three seconds."

We repeated this for a little while, until he had stopped shaking and was only lightly crying now.

"Are you feeing any better?" I asked.
"Mhm." He hummed in agreement. I got a sudden flutter in my chest. DID I JUST GET BUTTERFLIES FROM HIS VOICE?? NOW IS NOT THE TIME, BRAIN.

"Good." I ignored my internal dialogue. I was confused by the feelings I was feeling. I actually felt.. remorse for him? Attraction too but the new one was sympathy.

"Why.." He muttered. "Why did you help me..?"
"Because.." I paused in thought "Something told me I should stay."

I smiled at him warmly. He looked away, staring down at the ground.
"Thanks." He smiled.
"Eh, don't mention it." I carefully wiped his semi dried tears away with my sleeve.

He giggled warmly, wiping away the tears I had missed.
"Sorry for my whole little.. meltdown. It just.. happens sometimes."
"It's fine."

I got up, holding a hand out for him. When he looked up at me with fully dried eyes, he had almost a look of shock on his face.

"W-Wait.. A-Austin.?" His voice was quiet again. He seemed to freeze in that moment.
"How do you know my name-?" I retracted my hand, cocking an eyebrow with slight suspicion.

"I- You- ... I've seen you around.." Something in his voice told me he was lying. Or at least not telling the full truth.

"O-Okay then.." He managed to get up on his own, brushing dust off of himself. From this angle I could see a lot more details.

I saw the dark circles under his eyes, I saw the slight stubble that peppered his chin, and his baby blue eyes. I saw the way his hair shaped his face, how the lights shines off of his eyes, how his-

"Ahem. Hello?? Earth to Austin?"
O-Oh right-
I shook my head, feeling my face get a little hot.
"Oh, sorry. I tend to zone out a lot. Sorry." I quickly apologised.

"I-It's fine."
Just then, I have a realisation.
"Oh! I never caught your name." I smiled.
"Oh.. It's Henry. Henry Morris." He introduced.
"Wait- YOU'RE Henry?? Ive heard.. a lot about you." I mumbled that last bit.

"You mean the rumours? Most of them aren't even true, by the way.." He seems a little embarrassed about the mention of rumours.

"Yeah, I figured. Adults can be just as immature as teenagers sometimes. I get it." He seemed a little relieved when I said this.

"Well, nice to meet you Henry."
"Nice to meet you too, Austin."