Il libro di Jaylos

You're having a panic attack while I hold you in my arms.

taken from: jaylosjune2018 on tumblr
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Times Square was a thief's paradise. The sea of bobbing heads and whining children and chattering mobs all shuffling along, trying to convince themselves they were moving amongst the standstill that surrounded them created the perfect environment for pick-pocketing. It took all of Jay's willpower not to let his hands slip into the open bags, and he was hyper aware of every wallet, piece of jewelry, and set of keys that lay so temptingly in the unguarded purses and pockets of tourists.
"Damn," he muttered to himself, playing with the ring on his finger to keep his hands from nicking things. "One sweep of this place, just this corner, and I'd have twelve new cars, seven apartments, and money for lunch." He grinned down at his boyfriend, expecting to see him grin and roll his eyes, but was met instead with a very pale Carlos who seemed to be struggling for air.

The crowds... Jay realized. Just like the ones at the dock when the barges would come in. Holy shit, we need to get him out of here.
He squinted, trying to scan the masses in search of the rest of their group. Jay could make out Ben among the swarms of people crossing the street. Evie and Mal were up there too, he realized, their brightly colored hair much harder to miss, but he wasn't sure Carlos could make it that far.

Glancing down at the freckled boy again, Jay noticed the beads of sweat collecting on his forehead and the way his eyes darted about. Abruptly, Carlos stopped walking, his body swaying some as the people continued to move forward all around him.

"Watch it," Jay snarled as a man with a briefcase shoved nearly bowled the white-haired boy over.

"Don't let your friend stop in the middle of traffic." The man shot gave them both a dirty look.

As much as Jay liked the easy targets populating the tourist-heavy areas of the city, they clogged the exit routes something awful. And right now, he really really needed an exit route, more than ever.

"Jay.... I can't... can we please get out of here?"  Carlos definitely didn't look too good, his hands twitching in a familiar pattern, his feet refusing to step on certain squares of pavement. Order, he craved order, he needed something to control.

Jay wanted to scream at the crowds to freeze! To just stop! And be quiet! Of course, the city didn't take orders from a thief, even one whose boyfriend was about to have a panic attack. Sirens wailed as an ambulance sped down the street, people continued to push past them roughly, and Carlos had gone sheet white and was shaking like leaf in a hurricane.

Shit. Shit. Everyone stop! Shit.
By the time Jay had successfully maneuvered the both of them onto one of the less populated avenues, Carlos was reduced to stumbling, pitching forward. The thief caught him, trying to figure out a Plan B. They obviously weren't gonna make it back to their room.

"Carlos," he said, doing his best to keep his voice calm and steady. "Do you think you can walk inside one of these hotel lobbies? They probably have couches."

The younger boy was still trembling, his jaw locked in place, his fingers still moving desperately, as if trying to ground himself, but he was able to give a short nod.

"Just a few more steps, there you go." Jay led him inside, both feeling the sudden blast of air conditioning, careful not to surprise him with any sudden touches. When they were seated, he helped guide the freckled boy's head down between between his knees.

"Just keep breathing, it's gonna pass over," the thief told him quietly. "Can I touch your shoulder, is that okay?" After another nod, he started rubbing slow circles there, taking deep breaths to help guide Carlos' shallow ones.

"I'm sorry," Carlos mumbled finally, his eyes still closed.

But the older boy shook his head. "No, no, Carlos, don't apologize. I should've never let us get trapped in that crowd."