J+C: DRABBLES

☆Overload☆

[Jake has an overload late at night and Carrington comforts him!]

cw: overstimulation/shutdown

~•~

Jake was sitting in the hallway with his hands clutching over his ears, and his face in his tucked up knees.

Tears dampen his plaid PJ covered knees as he keeps his head firmly in place. He was frustrated.

Today didn't go as planned and it all came flooding out this late evening. He didn't want to show this vulnerability towards anyone, so he kept it to himself. He thinks he's the only one awake, but Carrington was awake in his room.

Carrington had heard the soft sniffles coming from the hallway. It wasn't hard to tell someone was crying. He walked out of his room and peered into the hallway, looking around to see who was up.

His eyes landed on Jake, curled up in a ball. He frowned. He walked over and knelt down next to him, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "Hey," he said quietly, "are you okay?"

Jake jolted in surprise. Lifting his head up and uncovering his ears, his eyes are wide when he realizes Carrington was sitting with him. He just nodded, but his tearful eyes said otherwise.

Carrington noticed the nod, but also the look in his eyes. He could tell that Jake was definitely not okay. He sighed and sat down next to him, putting an arm around his shoulders. "You don't have to lie," he said gently, "I can tell you're not."

Jake immediately scooted away. Shaking his head, he didn't want to be touched. He flapped his hands as he closed his eyes.

Trying to calm himself down rather quickly now, but unfortunately that wasn't working and it only made him spiral more into overstimulation.

Carrington frowned again when Jake moved away. He didn't like seeing him like this, but he also knew that he needed to give him space. "Sorry," he said, putting his hands up in a surrendering gesture.

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." He watched as Jake flapped his hands, noticing the signs of overstimulation. "Hey, hey," he said softly, "it's okay. You're okay."

But Jake wasn't speaking, he was currently shut down at the moment, a soft grunt came into response.

Carrington could tell that Jake wasn't responding verbally. He knew that sometimes people went nonverbal when they were overwhelmed.

"Can you look at me?" he asked gently, keeping his voice soft and calm. Jake's brown eyes slowly looked up at Carrington.

Carrington smiled softly when Jake looked up at him. "There you are," he said, his tone still gentle.

"I know you're struggling right now, but I want you to know that I'm here for you, okay?" He paused for a moment before continuing. "Can you tell me what's going on? What made you upset?"

Jake shakes his head, hyperventilating a bit. He was too overloaded at the moment to talk or anything.

Carrington noticed the hyperventilating and became more concerned. He knew that he needed to help Jake calm down before he got too overwhelmed. "Hey, hey, slow down," he said, keeping his voice calm and steady.