NO FRIENDSHIP IS AN ACCIDENT || SIXTH MEMBER SICKFICS/HURTFICS

4- Overzealous Fans and The Panic

4- Overzealous fans and Matilda's Panic

The roar of the crowd outside the arena had been a dull murmur backstage, but as soon as the door opened, it hit them like a tidal wave. The flashing lights of the paparazzi, the deafening screams of fans, and the overall chaos were enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed. For Matilda, it was a nightmare waiting to happen.

She lingered behind the group, eyes wide, already feeling the weight of the crowd pressing in on her before they even stepped out into the open. The flashing cameras were blinding, and the bodies of people trying to get close seemed endless. Her heart rate quickened. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but the noise-it was so much louder than she'd anticipated.

"Matilda, love, stay close, alright?" Louis called back to her, noticing her lagging behind. He knew how the crowd affected her, how much the crush of people could trigger her anxiety.

She nodded, though her feet seemed rooted to the ground. The rest of the boys-Harry, Niall, Liam, and Zayn-were ahead, moving in a loose pack, trying to shield themselves from the frenzy of fans and cameras. But Matilda was frozen. The world felt like it was closing in on her, each scream a sharp jab, each camera flash a blinding light that made her feel smaller, more suffocated.

Louis glanced over his shoulder again and immediately caught the change in her demeanor. Her breathing was shallow, her eyes wide, and her hands trembled slightly at her sides. His heart sank. He'd seen this before.

"Matilda," he said, his voice soft but commanding as he quickly doubled back to her, leaving the boys for a moment. "Hey, It's alright, darling. Look at me."

But she couldn't focus. The world was spinning, the noise echoing in her head like a thousand voices all shouting at once. She could feel herself getting pulled under, the suffocating weight of panic taking over. The air felt thick, impossible to breathe.

Louis stepped in front of her, his body shielding her from the cameras and the fans. He crouched slightly so he was at her eye level. "Tilly, love, focus on me, yeah? Just me. You're safe, I promise."

Matilda tried, but her breathing was ragged, coming in short, panicked gasps. Her chest tightened painfully, and she could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. She felt like she was drowning.

Louis didn't hesitate. He gently took her face in his hands, thumbs brushing against her cheeks to ground her. His voice was calm, soothing, filled with the warmth only he could provide. "Breathe with me, sweetheart. In and out, yeah? Nice and slow. I've got you."

She tried, mirroring his breaths, but the crowd was too much. The flashes, the screams-it was all too much. Her hands reached for him, gripping his arms like a lifeline as she struggled to find her footing in the storm of her panic.

Louis saw the fear in her eyes, the way her body was beginning to shake. He didn't even think twice. "Alright, that's it," he muttered to himself, before wrapping his arms around her and scooping her up effortlessly.

"Hey, hey, I've got you. I've got you, love," he murmured, cradling her against his chest as if she weighed nothing. She buried her face in his neck, trembling, trying to shut out the world. Louis held her tighter, whispering reassurances as he pushed his way through the crowd, using his body to shield her as much as he could.

"Get out of the way!" Zayn snapped at a particularly persistent paparazzo who was too close. "Can't you see she's struggling, mate? Give her some space!"

Louis caught up with the rest of the boys quickly, his arms still secure around Matilda, who was clinging to him as if her life depended on it.

"Is she alright?" Harry asked, concern etched into his features.

"She'll be fine," Louis said, his voice still soft, but there was an edge of protectiveness to it. "Just needs some space, yeah?"

Liam nodded quickly, stepping ahead to clear a path to the waiting car. "Come on, lads, make room. Let's get her in."

The flashes continued, and the fans didn't let up, screaming for attention, desperate to get closer, to touch, to see. But Louis had only one focus-Matilda. He held her as if she were the most fragile thing in the world, keeping her close to his chest, his heartbeat steady and strong against her ear.

By the time they reached the car, Matilda's breathing had started to even out, though she still clung to Louis, her body trembling from the aftershocks of her panic attack. Louis slid into the backseat with her still in his arms, not letting go, not even for a second.

"Easy, love," he murmured, brushing the hair away from her face, his voice as gentle as ever. "You're safe now. I've got you. Just breathe."

She nodded weakly, her eyes still damp with tears, but the crushing weight of panic was slowly lifting, thanks to him. Her breaths came more easily, though her heart still raced.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible against the noise outside.

Louis shook his head firmly, his blue eyes softening as he looked down at her. "Hey, none of that, alright? You've got nothing to be sorry for, love. I'm here. I'll always be here, remember?"

That brought a weak smile to her lips, the comfort of his words settling in her chest.

Matilda rested her head against his chest, the steady thrum of his heartbeat calming her. The car began to pull away from the madness, and she closed her eyes, letting herself be comforted.

Louis kissed the top of her head, his hand gently rubbing her back as the car moved through the city streets. "You're alright now, Tilly. I've got you."

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{It was a request by bubbasquish09. Hope you like it, Love! }

Hope it was a good on. Requests are accepted if anyone have ideas.

Take Care

AUTHOR ♡