Eric Coulter Imagines

What If: Just Let Me Cry (Part 1/2) #InnerChildHealed

Eric was deep into his mission strategies when the soft knock broke through the silence. He frowned, annoyed at the interruption. It wasn't like anyone to bother him when he was preparing for something important. With a sigh, he pushed back from the desk and made his way to the door.

When he opened it, he found Y/N standing there, her eyes slightly swollen, shimmering with unshed tears. The sight of her like this caught him off guard. Y/N never let anyone see her vulnerable, let alone him. She didn't say a word, just stood there, biting her lip as though holding back everything she couldn't allow to spill out.

Eric's frown deepened, but not out of frustration. The silence between them spoke volumes, and without a word, he stepped back, holding the door open wider. Y/N hesitated only a second before stepping inside.

He didn't ask her anything—there was no need. Instead, with a slight tug, he pulled her into his chest, arms wrapping around her naturally, protectively. Y/N seemed to crumble, her weight leaning fully into him as her face pressed against his chest. She let out a shaky breath, the floodgates opening as quiet sobs escaped her.

Eric guided her toward the bed, sitting down with her still in his arms. Y/N shifted into his lap, her knees curled up as she tucked her face into his neck, her hands gripping his shirt. The tears came harder now, her body shaking slightly with each breath. Eric didn't speak—he didn't know what to say, and he knew words weren't what she needed. Instead, he let his hand move gently up and down her back, grounding her as she cried.

For a long time, it was just the sound of her soft sobs, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, and the weight of the unspoken understanding between them.

Gradually, Y/N's tears slowed, her breathing evening out as the tension melted from her body. She stayed there, nestled in his lap, the warmth of his arms around her providing a comfort she hadn't realized she needed. Eric didn't move, didn't push her to explain—he just let her be.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Y/N pulled back slightly, enough to look up at him through tear-streaked lashes. Her expression was softer now, more at ease, though her eyes were still red.

Eric met her gaze, his own unreadable. "What was that about?" His voice was low, but not demanding.

Y/N sniffled, a small, almost embarrassed smile tugging at her lips. "Can we not talk about that?" she asked, her voice soft, with a hint of that familiar playfulness she used to deflect.

Eric exhaled, somewhere between a sigh and a chuckle, his grip on her loosening just a little. "You've got 24 hours. After that, I'm not letting you dodge it."

Y/N laughed lightly, a sound that felt like a release of all the tension she'd been carrying. "Deal."

For now, that was enough. Y/N stayed resting against him, her body still curled into his. Neither of them needed to say anything more. It was an unspoken agreement between them—whatever had brought her to him, they would handle it when the time came. But for now, she found comfort in Eric, in the quiet safety of his arms.

And for once, Eric didn't mind being that for her.