The Overseer of The Isles

Chapter 15: her comfort

TW: PANIC ATTACK

The two stared at each other. Deirdre's breathing quickened; she wasn't expecting him to be there. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she began to tremble. She quickly stood up, wanting to be far away from everything. She ran towards her new safe space, the bathroom.

She didn't close the door and just hopped in the tub, pulling the curtain closed, almost pulling them off their rings, and began to scratch furiously at the skin on her arms.

Because of her panic attack, she didn't hear Aengus walking in and sitting next to the tub. He sat there in silence while listening to her heavy breathing. He then slowly slid his hand into the tub.

She snapped her head to her right, having heard the curtains rattle a tad. She saw his hand just lying there, open and ready for something. While she slows her scratching, she grabs his hand and gives it a tight squeeze.

The room was quiet. Aengus silently comforting Deirdre in the only way he could. He didn't want to cause her panic attack to worsen by being loud and pushy; he knew personally that would not help anyone in the situation. So being a silent pillar to support her is really what he needed to do.

“Love….” Aengus started quietly, not wanting to scare her, “do you want to come out?” He asked while rubbing the back of her hand with his large thumb

She let out a sniffle in response but she slowly let go of his hand. Aengus stood up, waiting for her to open the curtain but was taken aback when she threw the open and jumped into his arms. 

“I just need a hug.” came her voice, muffled by his chest

He let out a hum before asking, “is it ok for me to touch you?”

And when she nodded Aengus gave her a tight, reassuring hug. Sure no words were spoken during this hug but you could feel all the warmth and love. Deirdre let out a shaky but content sigh, she needed this.