TW: violence kinda, panic attack
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Roman paused as he saw me being held against the wall, and immediately sprinted over to land a punch directly in the Janus' face, causing him to stumble backwards.
I slid down the wall into the ground hugging myself, a shaking and crying mess. Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck... My heartbeat quickened and my breathing became labored.
"What the fuck, Janus?" I heard Roman say angrily. I lifted my head up slightly as Janus stood upright, clutching his face. "Maybe next time then, babe," he said to me with a wink as he made his way out of the locker room.
I lowered my head back down, hugging myself tightly, digging my nails into my arms in an attempt to ground myself. Roman slowly approached me and said softly, "Hey, you're okay, it's alright now. Can I hug you?" I hesitated, struggling to focus on his words, but have him a small nod. He gently pulled me into a hug.
He had a warm hand pressed against my back as he spoke, "Ok I need you to listen to my voice and follow my breathing, ok?" I nodded against his chest. "First, breathe in for 4 seconds." We breathed in sync as I inhaled shakily.
"Then hold for 7 seconds." He counted out loud for us both and continued, "Finally, exhale for 8 seconds." After he counted I was still shaking but my panic attack had faded somewhat. I sat on the ground in his arms and choked out a sob.
He hushed me reassuringly and continued to to go through the breathing exercise with me a few more times. Eventually I was no longer having a panic attack, though I was still shaking. I felt hot treats running down my face."I'm s-s-s-sor-ry..."
He rubbed circles into my back and asked, "Why are you apologizing to me? You did nothing wrong at all."
I continued to cry and replied, "I-I made you h-h-hit him and- and--" I couldn't finish my sentence as my chest racked with sobs. We stayed there for a few minutes until I sat up and quietly said to Roman, "Th-thanks..."
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He smiled softly and said, "Of course, what kind of person would I be if I had just left you there? I'm just glad you're safe now." I nodded, wiping the tears from my face with my shaking arms.
"Are you okay to go to gym? If we go in now we won't be marked absent since the coach tends to take attendance 5 minutes before class ends. If not I understand, and I wouldn't mind skipping with you."
I thought for a second, but remembered quickly that the school would call home if I missed any of my classes. Not wanting to anger my father, I replied, "N-n-no, I should go t-to class..."
He nodded sympathetically and stood up, holding out a hand to help me up. I took his hand in mine and stood on my shaking legs.
Fuck, how the hell did Janus find me so fast? When did he move here? How am I going to avoid him every day? What if--
My thoughts were suddenly interrupted as I heard Roman speaking to me in a concerned voice. "Virgil? I've been trying to get your attention for a bit now... Listen, it's okay if you aren't okay, we can head over to the nurse if you want."
In truth, I was scared out of my mind and dreaded even seeing Janus' face again, but if Dad found out I had skipped a class, I don't even want to imagine what he would do. "I'm fine, f-for real..."
Roman sighed and said, "Okay, if you say so, but you're sticking with me, I don't want that prick near you." I nodded and followed him out of the locker room, grateful that I had someone like Roman.
YOU ARE READING
Sanders Sides High School AU
Fanfiction⚠️TRIGGER WARNING⚠️ After moving to a new house with his dad and ever-absent mom, Virgil goes to his first day at his new school and prepares for the hell that usually awaits him beyond school doors. He meets a few interesting people who he just mig...
