TNN ONESHOTS

Big brother - AFK & RK

Autumn jolted awake, her heart racing as the sound of thunder rumbled through the darkness. The flashes of lightning illuminated the room, casting eerie shadows on the walls. She glanced at the empty side of the bed, where her husband Winter usually slept, and a wave of loneliness washed over her. He was away for a stag do, and the silence felt heavier than usual.

The storm outside intensified, the wind howling as rain lashed against the windows. Autumn pulled the blankets closer around her, feeling a chill that had nothing to do with the weather. Memories of childhood nights spent hiding under the covers during storms flooded her mind, and she felt a familiar sense of fear creeping in.

Desperate for comfort, she reached for her phone and dialled her brother Reece's number. After a few rings, he answered, his voice groggy but concerned. “Autumn? What’s wrong?”

“Reece, it’s the storm. I’m really scared being here alone,” she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. “Can you come over?”

“Of course, I’ll be there in a few minutes. Find your headphones and listen to one of your books that you like. I will be there.” he replied without hesitation. Autumn felt a wave of relief wash over her, knowing that her brother would soon be by her side. He scribbled down a note for Marjorie in case she woke up, leaving it on her bedside table before racing to leave the house.

She hung up and tried to distract herself from focusing on the rhythm of the rain and the distant rumble of thunder while listening to the book like reece told her. A few moments later, she heard a knock at the door. Autumn rushed to open it, finding Reece standing there, drenched from the rain but with a reassuring smile on his face.

“Hey, I brought snacks,” he said, holding up a bag of chips as if it were a lifeline. Autumn laughed ever so slightly through her fear, grateful for his presence. They settled on the couch together, the storm raging outside. With each rumble of thunder and flash of lightning, Autumn flinched.

"I would have phoned Mia but i know Char is scared of storms aswell and then either i would drive to hers or she would have to drag char here abd then have us both to look after and thats not fair on her. Im sorry, i woke you, but winter is away, and i can't bother him." Autumn mumbled as reece listened closely. "You are okay, and i am here. Let's stop stressing and take some deep breaths."

As they sat together on the couch, Autumn could feel her heart racing with every crack of thunder that echoed outside. The storm felt alive, and she could hardly shake the feeling of dread that settled in her stomach. Turning to Reece, she felt vulnerable and small. “Can you hold me?” she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Without hesitation, Reece moved closer and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a comforting embrace. “Just listen to the thunder; it won’t hurt you. I’ve got you, you are safe,” he whispered, his voice steady and soothing. Autumn leaned into him, finding solace in his warmth as the storm raged on outside.

Just as she began to relax, a particularly loud rumble shook the air, followed by a brilliant flash of lightning that illuminated the room. In an instant, the power cut out, plunging them into darkness. Autumn's heart leapt, and she let out a terrified scream, the fear surging back in an overwhelming wave. she could feel the panic rising within her. She hugged her knees tightly, trying to steady her breath, but each clap of thunder sent her heart racing even faster. He immediately sensed something was wrong. “Autumn?” he called softly, moving closer to her. “Are you okay?”

Tears welled up in Autumn's eyes as she shook her head, overwhelmed by the fear that gripped her. “I can’t breathe, Reece. The storm… it’s too much,” she stammered, her voice trembling.

Reece quickly wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. “Hey, look at me,” he said gently, tilting her chin up so she could meet his gaze. “You’re safe. I’m right here with you. Let’s breathe together, okay?” He took a deep breath in, then exhaled slowly, encouraging her to follow his lead.

With Reece’s calming presence beside her and his steady rhythm guiding her, Autumn felt the panic begin to ebb. She focused on his voice, the warmth of his reassurance grounding her. “You’re not alone, Autumn. We’ll get through this storm together,” he promised, holding her close as the thunder rumbled outside. In that moment, surrounded by the chaos of the storm, Autumn found comfort in her brother’s unwavering support.

Just as Autumn began to settle her phone lit up. "It's marj," she mumbled before giving her phone to reece to answer. "Aut, are you okay? I saw Reeces note. Do you want me to come over as well?" She asked quickly down the phone. Reece smiled at how much she cared for his sister. "Hey darling, it's me. Aut is with me... calm done, baby. yeah, she's okay... you can come over if you want, but dont rush and take it slow, please."

Once reece ended the call, he looked at Autumn and nudged her arm gently. "Marj is on heer way over. She worried about you as well." Autumn nodded slightly as the siblings sat in the darkness.

*

Marjorie burst through the front door, breathless and worried. She had just received a text from Reece about Autumn's panic attack, and her heart raced as she rushed to find her best friend. The storm outside raged on, but all she could think about was getting to Autumn and offering comfort.

As she entered the dimly lit living room, she spotted Autumn curled up on the couch, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Reece had only just moved away to get everyone else a drink. Without hesitation, Marjorie rushed over, sinking down beside her. “Autumn!” she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her tightly. “I’m here. I heard what happened.”

Autumn melted into Marjorie’s embrace, feeling the warmth and safety of her friend enveloping her. Marjorie held her close to her chest, the steady beat of her heart soothing Autumn’s frayed nerves. “You’re going to be okay,” Marjorie whispered, kissing the top of Autumn’s head gently. “I’ve got you. You’re not alone in this.”

The storm outside continued to howl, but within the cocoon of Marjorie’s arms, Autumn felt a sense of peace begin to wash over her. With her best friend and her brother by her side, she knew she could face anything, even the darkest of storms.

"Aut try and sleep, we will both stay here with you, we won't go home till you are ready for us to go." Reece told her calmly as he watched his sister closely. She nodded slightly before moving herself closer to the couple, falling asleep quickly.

The couple sat and watched Autumns body slowly begin to relax more and more as she fell deeper into sleep.