tequila ; s. paulson one - shots

number (tammy)

"It's just a number, it's just a number," you mumbled under your breath as your hands subconsciously started scratching anywhere they could. A very stark 28/60 glared up at you from the kitchen counter, almost accusingly.

You had always been a very happy-go-lucky but grade conscious person, which was the most fucked up combination to feel, especially when exam season rolled around. It wasn't even exam season and you were already very stressed. "Y/N, you there?"

"Yeah, I'm here," you called back very nervously. "Are you busy?"

"Not really."

Tammy sauntered into the room, brandishing her phone, "I just caught a shiny perfect Eevee!"

"Good for you, honey."

"You don't look so good, are you okay?"

Trying to hide the internal pain, you plastered a smile on your face and lied, "I'm fine."

"Wait, didn't you say you had a test the other day? Are those the results? Can I see?"

"It's," you mumbled as you slid the paper over to her, "not that good."

"How much time were you given to answer all this?"

"An hour. But about 10 minutes got taken up by our previous teacher."

"What the hell? These are long problems, how did they expect you to finish all of it within the time?"

Normally, you'd crack up at the look of bafflement on the blonde's face, but you were much too disappointed even to smile genuinely. You couldn't fathom how your sister Debbie was going to react to your failing score.

"I didn't try hard enough, I guess," you sighed, burying your face in your hands, "It's disappointing, I know."

"Which answers are you sure of?"

"I got all the significant figures correct, that's like 10 points, and I'm pretty sure I got most of the laboratory equipment right too. I'm just really frustrated right now."

Tammy could see the look of agony on your face slowly melting into apathy, and you cracking your knuckles mercilessly, the inexplicable red rashes more prominent than usual.

She quickly wrapped her arms around you and pressed a soft kiss to your head, "Y/N, I know you feel disappointed as hell right now, but you have to know that it's okay. One failing score does not define who you are."

"The painful thing is that I studied all the history of chemistry and there was barely anything on the test about it. And I thought I got the problem solving right, but I didn't even get a single one."

"Don't dwell on it, Y/N. It's only going to make you feel worse."

"Easier said than done, Tam. I should probably get my other homework done."

"No, you're not doing any homework just yet, missy," she stated, shaking her head at you, "Not until I've made you feel better."

"I don't think that's possible."

"Anything is possible. even the impossible."

"Did you just-"

"Quote Mary Poppins? Yes, I did."

A small smile crept onto your lips and stayed there for a while, "What did you have in mind to make me feel better?"

"Let's watch Team Umizoomi."

"Mmm, no. How about Mickey Mouse Clubhouse instead?"

"Descendants."

"Fine," Tammy sighed, "but only because I love you."

"Let's face it. You love those movies."

"The only one I surely love is the second one. I'm skeptical about the first and third."

"The third one had such a weird storyline, honestly."

"No objection there."

You sighed and flipped through your exam once more, trying to figure out exactly where you went wrong.

Pursing her lips, your sister's ex tried to think of ways to take your mind off of it. Debbie had confided in her that she was worried about you, still constantly pushing yourself no matter how exhausted or stressed or drained you were.

"Y/N?"

"Hm?"

"Put that down and come hug me."

"What? Why?"

"Just do it," she sighed, opening her arms to welcome you. Of course, you weren't one to turn down hugs, especially if it was from Tammy, your most favorite human ever, so you let yourself sink into her warm, comforting embrace.

"What's this for?" you mumbled into her shirt, "I like it, but what's it for?"

"I'm going to tell you something very important, and you have to listen."

"Okay."

"It isn't the end of the world to fail a test. I know that you feel disappointed, but please don't let the negativity consume you. We all care for you, and all we want is for you to be healthy and happy."

"I am happy."

"Shut up for a second, I'm not done," she said bluntly, "Don't think for a second that failing something this minor invalidates you as a human. Your sister is worried about you, Y/N. We would never want you to prioritize studies over your health."

"I just want all of you to be proud of me."

"And we are. We are very proud of everything you've achieved. Hell, I don't even understand a word of anything you're studying, and yet you're able to answer all of it easily."

"That doesn't mean I'm worth being proud of, Tam."

"I think it is. and you want to know what makes me proudest of you?"

You nodded quietly, and allowed her to cup your chin in her hand to tilt your head to face her. "Being alive."

Giving her a quizzical look, you raised an eyebrow at her but let her continue. "You feeling disappointed and beating yourself up over something has happened so many times, and you've brought up wanting to give up, but you're still hanging on. That's plenty reason to be proud."

"I hang on because I'm weak."

"Staying alive does not make you weak. It makes you strong, because you're willing to fight and hang on for another day."

"Thank you, Tammy. I really needed to hear that."

"Hey, I love you, okay? Remember that."

"I won't forget."

wc : 984

once again i give everyone a very messy comfort fic lmaooo i'm sorry this was subpar

let me know what you thought and what else i should write about !!

- mayesha 🤧