TNN ONESHOTS

Toast - AMR & MK

*TW - ED*

Marjorie entered the office quietly, to quiet. During any other day, Mia couldn't stand how much Marjorie loved to talk, but today, she hated it. There was something about Marjories' silence that made Mia feel uncomfortable.

After a while, Mia sighed quietly as if to prepare herself for the next conversation.  "Okay, Marjorie, you're quiet. What's up?" Mia questioned while still looking at her computer screen and typing her email. Turns out the typing classes Roger forced her and Autumn to take as kids, worked out in her favour. Marjorie glanced over at the redhead before looking away again and just humming slightly. "Nothing. I'm trying to sort out shifts." She mumbled in response. Once again, something did sit quite right.

Mia rolled her eyes. "Fine,  don't say i didn't try. I know you aren't okay because you are actually quiet and doing your job, but if you dont want to talk than thats your problem." She replied quickly. She hated that Marjorie wouldn't open up to her, but then she also understood why. They both have a past and their own reasons to keep their walls up, but it didn’t make the situation any better.

Time passed slowly, and Marjorie's mood didn't pick up. If anything, she closed herself up more. "Marjorie,  do you want me to call Reecey to come and sit with you?" Mia asked quietly. She watched how Marjorie shook her head. "Okay, fine, we will just work in silence." Mia spoke calmly in response.

That was all it took to make Marjorie snap. "You always make me out to be lazy or too loud, but whos the one who is uncomfortable the second i am quiet? You have not stopped keeping on. Leave me alone, Mia. I know Autumn said i need you to pay the guard dog, but i dont need you!" Marjorie scolded her now deputy. Deep down, she didn't mean it at all, but it was too late. The words had left her mouth.

"I've been checking out you because i can tell that you aren't yourself, but if you shout at me makes you feel better,  then please go ahead. It's not my fault that no one else has even noticed it yet." Mia told her while turning around in her chair to face Marjorie.

After a moment of silence, Marjorie piped up. "it's stupid and not worth it. You will only laugh at me anyway." Marjorie mumbled nervously while keeping her gaze down. The truth behind Mias words hitting deeper than they should. "Try me. I've heard some stupid stuff before.  I think you forget,  i grew up with Reece." Mia teased in her snarky tone to try and lighten the mood. She had never been good with talking about feelings, so this was really out of her comfort zone.

Marjorie sighed slightly, her shoulders tense and her hands shaking. "So... I didn't eat this morning.  I couldn't.... you know. Anyway, I went to ask Chef for some toast because i feel dizzy from not eating, and she yelled at me about her kitchen not being an all you can eat buffet. It just hurt for so many different reasons, but it's fine. Im just being dramatic." Marjorie got out in one breath while wrapping her oversized cardigan around herself more, clearly feeling insecure.

Mia said nothing. She simply stood up and left the room, leaving Marjorie alone with her thoughts.

By the time Mia walked back into the office, Marjorie was taking shallow breathes with a distant gaze on her face. "Marjorie, im back." Mia spoke calmly before locking the door behind herself so no one else could walk into the office.

Mia noticed Marjorie's hands trembling as she sat at her desk. "Are you okay?" Mia asked gently while pulling a chair up to sit next to her. Marjorie's breath hitched, and her eyes darted around the room. "I—I think I'm having a panic attack," she whispered, her voice tight with anxiety. Mia's heart went out to her friend. "Okay, let's find a quiet spot," she said, guiding Marjorie to a calmer corner of the office, away from the buzzing printer and computers.

Once they were settled on the couch, Mia spoke softly, "Just focus on your breathing, Marjorie. Inhale for four, hold for four, and exhale for six." Marjorie tried to follow along, her breaths shaky at first, but gradually evening out. Mia continued to coach her, her voice a soothing presence amidst the storm in Marjorie's mind. "That's it, you're doing great. Just keep breathing."

As Marjorie's panic subsided, she leaned back, exhaustion washing over her. "Thank you, Mia," she said, her voice still a bit shaky. "I don't know what I would have done without you." Mia smiled warmly. "Anytime, Marjorie. I'm always here." Then, without thinking, Mia reached out to hug her. Marjorie hesitated for a moment, then relaxed into the embrace, a silent acknowledgement of their bond and Mia's unwavering support. "Char always calms down quicker when i hug her. I didn't really think." Mia told her calmly, but Marjorie barely nodded. "It's okay, my love."

After sitting together for a while, Mia shifted slightly. "Do you want to talk to me about what happened?" Mia asked quietly while looking at her friend. "I was triggered, and then i started over thinking about the whole situation." Mia nodded slightly as she felt Marjorie resting her head against her shoulder again.

"Well, i left to have a word with Chef, and i have got us some toast to share so we can eat together.  That's what i used to do with Reecey when he was struggling." Mia spoke calmly before moving slowly to get the plate.

Mia collected the plate sat across from Marjorie on the couch, a plate of golden-brown toast, lightly buttered between them. "I know this is hard, but you're not alone," Mia said softly, her eyes filled with compassion. Marjorie's gaze was fixed on the toast, her expression a mix of longing and fear. "I just… I can't," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Mia reached out and gently placed her hand over Marjorie's. "Yes, you can. We'll take it one bite at a time, together. Okay?"

With unwavering patience, Mia encouraged Marjorie to pick up a piece of toast. "Just smell it," Mia suggested. "Remember how much you used to love the smell of toast in the morning?" Marjorie closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. A faint smile touched her lips. "Okay," she said, her voice a little stronger. "I can do that." Slowly, Marjorie brought the toast to her mouth and took a small bite.

Mia watched with a hopeful heart as Marjorie chewed and swallowed. "How does it taste?" she asked gently before taking a bite of her toast. Marjorie paused, considering. "It's… good," she admitted, a flicker of pleasure in her eyes. Encouraged, she took another bite, and then another. Mia continued to offer words of support and encouragement in between mouthfuls. She made sure to celebrate each of Marjorie's small victories.

It didn't take long for Marjorie to have eaten almost the entire piece of toast, a testament to her courage and Mia's unwavering support. "Im so proud of you." Mia whispered calmly before moving slowly to grab their coffees that had been sitting on their desks. Mia relaxed against the couch again to encourage Marjorie to stay calm, and it seemed to be working. She watched as Marjorie sipped her coffee calmly while also leaning back. "We get back to work in ten minutes." Mia mumbled into the quiet of the office as the two women took time to reflect and relax.