X-Men Oneshots

You having a panic attack

Charles:

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow through the window of Y/N's room. It should have been a serene evening, but the atmosphere was thick with tension. Y/N sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers tangled in her hair as she stared blankly at the floor. Shadows danced across the walls, echoing the turmoil inside her mind.

The past few weeks had been overwhelming. Between the constant battles to protect mutants, the ever-present threat of anti-mutant sentiment, and her responsibilities at the Institute, Y/N felt like she was drowning. Anxiety crept in like an uninvited guest, whispering dark thoughts and fears that seemed insurmountable.

Suddenly, her heart began to race, and her breath quickened. It felt as if the walls were closing in, the very air becoming suffocating. Panic surged, sending her spiraling into a familiar abyss.

Charles entered the room quietly, his intuition guiding him. He had sensed her distress from the moment he arrived at the Institute. The bond they shared was profound, a silent communication that flowed between their minds, and right now, he could feel the waves of anxiety crashing over her.

"Y/N?" he called softly, concern lacing his voice.

She turned her head slightly but didn't meet his gaze. "Hey," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Charles approached, sitting down beside her on the bed, their shoulders touching. "You don't look okay. What's going on?"

Y/N's hands trembled as she attempted to speak. "I don't know, Charles. It's just... everything feels like too much. I can't breathe." She felt tears prick her eyes, the weight of her emotions too heavy to bear alone.

Charles placed a reassuring hand on her back, gently rubbing circles to soothe her. "It's okay to feel overwhelmed. You've been under a lot of stress lately." He moved a little closer, making sure she felt his warmth and presence.

"I just want it to stop," she admitted, her voice breaking. "It feels like I'm trapped in my own mind."

"Y/N," he said softly, turning to face her. "You're not trapped. You're safe here with me." He took a deep breath, hoping to instill some of his calmness into her. "Let's try something together. Focus on my voice."

Her eyes widened with fear, but she nodded. "Okay."

Charles took her hands in his, their fingers interlacing. "Inhale deeply through your nose... and exhale slowly through your mouth. Just like this." He demonstrated, his breath steady and rhythmic.

Y/N mirrored his movements, but each breath still felt like a struggle. "What if it never goes away?" she asked, panic lacing her tone, her eyes darting around the room as if looking for an escape.

"It will," Charles promised, squeezing her hands gently. "I'm here with you. Let's go deeper. I can help you."

"What do you mean?" she asked, her brow furrowing.

"Let me into your mind. I can help you calm the storm," he explained, his voice soothing. "Trust me, Y/N."

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she felt the weight of her anxiety pressing down on her. "I don't know if I can."

"You can," he insisted, his gaze steady. "I'll be right there with you. Just close your eyes and focus on my voice. Let me guide you."

With a shaky breath, Y/N squeezed her eyes shut, nodding slowly. Charles concentrated, gently brushing against the edges of her mind. He felt the tumultuous waves of panic and fear, each crashing against the fragile walls of her mental state.