Strangers

Panic

Fritz POV

I had just burst through the stairway entrance in a haste, almost missing the harsh crack of the door as it hit the wall when I pushed it. It momentarily distracted me from my previous conversation with "Godfather Emil" as I glared around at employees that had jumped at the noise. I gave a half-assed "everythings fine" smile and kept walking, immediately reverting back to a scowl.
I start to playback the chat and begin to mumble to myself silently, getting looks from people I shove past.
My whole life I had never found any lasting bond of affection or care apart from my parents or the cats, so I naturally refuted Emil's suggestion of interest towards her brother.
It should be impossible for a person in their right mind to want any sort of relationship with that brute, I had seen his work, which I was impressed by, but I would never voluntarily start some casual chitchat. Would I?
I can't ponder the question further as I hit an obstacle in my way, I give a small grunt as the impact pushes me back.
"Oh crap, sorry sir!!"
I'm rubbing my nose and look at a soldier, who was facing me and worriedly going to check if I'm injured, "Are you okay?"
I scoff at him and silently curse.
"Watch where you're going.." I snap.
"S-sorry sir I was, but I was calling out to you earlier but you weren't listening so I assumed you couldn't hear me and tried to catch up to you and sort of ended up...running into your face.." The poor man rambled on, almost bowing as he guiltily stared at the floor. I rub my face and give a loud sigh.
"Spit it out then." The soldier meekly peeks up at me.
"I was just going to ask if everything was alright..?"
"Why?"
"Well I'm a pretty nosy person, according to people, but I prefer the term observati-" I snap my fingers and glare at the man.
"Do not waste my time." I can see beads of sweat appear upon the man's face and I feel a sense of empowerment, this job has its perks sometimes.
"Its just..you had a really scared and angry look back there, I was wondering if you were okay, I mean if everything's okay?" He looks at me nervously. I snarl and pull him close to me by his collar.
"Maybe next time you should stick to your post, don't meddle in situations that you're not wanted in! Got it?!" I growl sternly as I watch his eyes squeeze shut and nod quickly. I calm myself down and shove him aside, walking away and clenching my hands in and out of fists.Stupid Emil. Stupid Gunter. Stupid everything.
I storm down the hallway until I catch sight of my office, almost running towards it, I just want some peace and cuddles with the leopards right now. I grab the handle and quickly shuffle inside, tripping as I close the door.
I stare at the door for a moment, observing the painted gray surface, feeling the grainy texture scratch my forehead as I rest my head on it, closing my eyes and remembering my breathing exercises.I hear a small chirping meow from Valkyrie behind me and smile a bit.I manage to calm my nerves down a bit and hum a lullaby softly to myself. I go to wrap my arms around myself before I feel a firm hand grip my shoulder.
Staying completely still I look down at the floor, completely forgetting what breathing is and choke. Nobody is supposed to know, I'm supposed to be a cold, strict, and strong leader like Red but of course I'm not, damn I'm such an idiot. I feel my body begin to tense up and shake violently as if it were freezing, but I can only feel heat, extreme unbearable heat. I hear faint growls and chuffing around me from the leopards, why won't they do something?!
The hand pulls me around but I cover my face with my arms before I can see the person, my fingers tugging at clumps of hair as I feel a pain in my chest. Whoever it is has already recognized me, damnit why did I think I was safe I should've hidden it better. The person tries to pull my hands out of my hair, failing and possibly panicking at what was happening.
I see my vision blur as I've been unable to breathe for what seemed like hours and slide down against the door, seeing through gaps that the person has also kneeled. I hear a soft grunt as I begin to feel tears fall down my cheeks of their own accord, I shut my eyes and wheeze.
I feel the persons breath hit my neck as they sigh in frustration before I feel myself pulled into a tight hug.
I freeze. My face pushed into a shoulder as soft hands begin to rub circles into my back, soothing the trembling slightly. I release my hair slowly and ignore the strands that fall out of my hand, letting my face feel the texture of the army uniform.
"Breathe." I hear an almost inaudible whisper near my ear as the arms around me continue comforting me.
I let out a soft breath, feeling the pain in my chest lighten. I feel the tears come down harder as I regulate my breathing, and I finally give in and let out a whine as I begin to cry uncontrollably, wrapping my arms around them and sobbing.
I hear a soft hum, the same lullaby I was remembering before, as I feel my body being rocked slightly back and forth. Its enough to calm me down as my sobbing is reduced to sniffles, I stay there for a good few minutes, nearly falling asleep.
My moment of peace is interrupted by the person pulling back a bit, wiping away at my eyes that I keep fixed on the floor, I see Val and Tyr's paws at the sides and hear them purr. I push the hand away gently.
"I'm fine." I mutter, earning a soft squeeze on my shoulder, they attempted to meet my gaze but I keep looking away, too ashamed to face it. I'm finally grabbed by the chin and forced to look at my helper, to which I immediately react by shoving him away and scurrying back against the door.
"Y-you!" I exclaim and point, dumbfounded at the sight before me.
Gunter was lifting himself off the floor into a kneeling position again, worriedly trying to calm me down as Tyr and Val rally around him, Val rubbing against him occasionally. Tyr comes to my side and I pull him close, trying to hide my shame and embarrassment. Gunter frowns and picks me up effortlessly.
"H-hey unhand me!!" I shout, my face redder than my hair. He ignores my command and walks to my desk, sitting me on my desk and picking up a notepad, scribbling away at it. I wait a bit, awkwardly fumbling with my hands and looking at the ground. I'm rubbing my ears in an attempt to calm the blush down as he puts the notepad in my face.
Are you okay?
I frown a bit and nod. I glance up at him and he's giving me a doubtful look, scrutinizing my face as if that would hold a different answer. I feel powerless, somehow it being him who discovered me in that state only makes me feel worse.
"The more you stare the less okay I get." I say and he huffs, continuing to write. Its a longer text and I grow impatient.
"You can literally not be any slower." I complain, glaring a bit as he shrugs. I get frustrated and give up, he's already seen me have a complete breakdown so might as well continue to reveals, I pull the notepad away from him and toss it. He gives me an annoyed look and tries to return it but I grab his arm and make him face me. He goes to try again and I begin to move my hands, speaking aloud to match my hands to my words. He watches surprised as I move.

"Just use this."

Hhhhhh thank coronavirus for this update. Have this interaction with the other sibling.