All That Matters

Franziska let out another choked sob, burying her face deeper into her hands. She was curled up into a small ball, almost rocking herself back and forth as if slowly going insane. Her breaths were erratic, short, desperate, her body more focused on crying than breathing. She'd choke and cough on occasion out of strain. 

Franziska was broken down. Crying like this was very out of character for her. She was huddled in the back of her office, lights off and the room a mess. 

She had in fact been so focused on crying that she hadn't noticed the sound of the door opening and a small slit of light peering in through the room.

"Franziska."

She turned around from her corner of depression and looked to the door, the stream of light hitting her face and blurring her vision even more with her teary eyes. But aside the blur that her vision was she could still make out the voice and figure in the doorway.

"A-agent Lang?" She croaked as he edged the door open further. Once he had fully entered the room he eased it so it was almost closed and strode carefully toward her so as not to upset her anymore than she already was. When he was close enough he knelt down next to her and looked her over. She was an absolute mess. Her clothes muddled, hair askew, her eyes hazy and worst above these her tear-stained cheeks. Her lower lip quivered as if she was about the explode once more and her cheeks redder than a sunset. Every so often she'd sniffle and a fresh batch of tears would stream down her face. Her gaze was locked with his, they examined each other in silence.

Lang gave Franziska a sympathetic look at her current state. Her wished to bring her closer, but thought  twice about it, it could cause her to break down once more.

He was caught off guard when she burst out again, but she instead of doing what he expected , she buried her face into his chest and hugged her arms tightly around his body. Drowning out her sobs into him. Shi-Long Lang's eyes went wide before they softended and he wrapped his arms firmly yet tenderly. His hand ran through her silver-blue locks and stroked her head while the other ran gently up and down her back to soothe her. Lang tucked her head under her chin to show her that she was safe. He allowed her to cry into him and let all her sobs out.

Lang soon understood how much she needed him. She was broken, and here he was, the only one comforting her. 

And if she needed him he'd stay with her as long as it took for her to recover.

"Shhhh, Shhhhh..." He whispered, bringing her more into her lap. Tucking her deeper into his chest.

"B-But*sniff* t-he-mm." She could hardly speak in her condition. She was pushing hysteria. He noticed she was shivering, no doubt all that crying and stress had made heat leave her body. He brought her closer in an effort to keep her warm.

"Shhhh."

"L-Lang..they.."

"Shhh, I'm here now, they don't matter anymore." He crooned, nuzzling the top of her head. Franziska pulled back to look at him. He cupped her cheek and gently brushed tears away with his thumb. Leaning down her began to tenderly kiss them away for a few moments before she buried her head into his chest once more and let it out again.

The pair remained together for a considerable period of time. Lang slowly noticed that Franziska's sobs had not only become less frequent but they had stopped. Looking down he saw something that almost surprised him.

She had fallen asleep on him.

Franziska had succumbed to sleep in his arms. The poor girl was exhausted and had as a result dozed off. She seemed so peaceful. The fact that she could hardly control herself a few moments ago and was now the picture of serenity was almost a miracle. He breathing had gone back to normal as she slept in his arms. Lang smiled and brought her closer to him, tucking her into him and making sure they were both comfortable. Sure they were in a office, but what's so wrong about that?

All that mattered was Franziska was going to be just fine, all thanks to Shi-Long Lang.

A/N: This the most depressing thing I've ever written. Inspired by Everytime You Run by Manafest.