Multifandom One-shots

126. In the Eye of the Storm - Morgan x female reader (Criminal Minds)

Hey there! You look fantastic today! Did you do something special—maybe a new hairstyle, some makeup, or even a piercing? No? It must just be your natural glow shining through!

I hope this chapter resonates with you and underscores the importance of being there for one another. Whether you've been on the receiving end of support or offered it to someone else, know that your presence truly makes a difference.

I have to admit, I'm still warming up to this one-shot compared to some of my other work. But I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

Feel free to leave a comment or send me a message if you'd like to share your feedback or if there's something specific you'd love to see more of in the story. Your insights are invaluable and help me improve my writing!

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The BAU office was a whirlwind of activity, its usual hum punctuated by the clacking of keyboards, the occasional phone ring, and the murmur of urgent conversations. The team was deeply immersed in their latest case, each member contributing their expertise to unravel the complex puzzle before them. Yet, amidst this bustling environment, Y/N, a highly skilled and dedicated member of the team, found herself silently struggling with the weight of depression and anxiety.

For weeks, Y/N had been wrestling with the overwhelming demands of the BAU's high-pressure environment. She had been trying to keep her mental health in check, but today, the strain felt unbearable. The walls of the office seemed to close in, and every sound amplified her distress. She was finding it increasingly difficult to manage her anxiety, and today, it felt like it had reached a breaking point.

As the day wore on, Y/N's anxiety began to escalate, manifesting as a tight, constricting sensation in her chest. Her mind was a whirlwind of irrational fears and worries, each thought feeding into the next in an endless cycle. "Not now, not here," she silently pleaded with herself. "Just keep it together, just a little longer." But as her breathing grew increasingly shallow, the panic became a relentless force, impossible to ignore.

Her fingers trembled uncontrollably as she tried to grip the edge of her desk, desperately seeking something solid to anchor her. Each breath felt like a struggle, coming through her lungs as though they were restricted by an invisible force. Her vision blurred, and the edges of her surroundings seemed to darken as the pressure in her chest intensified. The rhythmic pounding of her heartbeat was like a drumbeat of impending doom, each thud amplifying her sense of dread.

The room, once bustling with activity, now seemed to close in around her, the cacophony of office sounds fading into a distant murmur. Y/N's breaths came in short, ragged gasps, her body trembling with the effort to regain control. She could feel the sweat on her brow, her skin clammy and cold. The familiar panic attack was engulfing her, and her thoughts were a chaotic storm of "What ifs." "What if I can't get out of this? What if everyone notices? What if I lose control?"

Desperation drove her to excuse herself from the room, her voice barely a whisper as she mumbled an excuse to her colleagues. She moved with a sense of urgency towards a quieter corner of the office, hoping to find solace away from the prying eyes and bustling activity. The distant hum of conversation and the clatter of keyboards receded as she reached a secluded spot, but the panic only seemed to intensify.

Leaning against the cool, sterile wall, Y/N closed her eyes, trying to focus on the breathing exercises her therapist had recommended. Inhale slowly through the nose, hold it for a moment, and exhale slowly through the mouth. She tried to visualize the calm, steady breaths that her therapist had demonstrated, but the exercises felt futile against the overwhelming tide of fear.

The panic attack had taken on a life of its own, its grip tightening around her chest, making each breath feel more labored. Her heart raced uncontrollably, and she could feel the warmth of her tears tracing paths down her cheeks, mingling with the sweat on her skin. The room seemed to spin, the walls appearing to press in on her, heightening her sense of claustrophobia.