𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒

[𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄] dad

➵ more harry centric stuff because boggy
➵ word count: 1083
➵ notes: we love josh being a protective dad
➵ warning: nyctophobia (fear of the dark), slight panic attack

✧

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍

Harry suffered from anxiety, this was a well known fact. Sometimes the boy could be loud and social around his friends, but around strangers, he retreated into a little shell, only being able to be brought back out by his friends.

But what the boys didn't know, is that Harry suffered from nyctophobia. The fear of the dark.

He did his best to hide it, but there were times he was almost caught. During hide-and-seeks when he'd hide in closets, the small camera light was the only thing that kept him from having a panic attack.

Unfortunately, Harry was in for a rough one with today's Sidemen Sunday.

XIX

As the boys trudged through the tunnels, Harry felt his stomach twist in knots. He was nauseous, and his hands subconsciously clenched. He hated this. He couldn't stop the ubiquitous feeling of a presence being him, creeping, stalking, waiting-

The Guernsey boy's breath hitched as it picked up. He dug his nails into his right arm, desperate for some form of grounding, of knowing that he's alive and present.

When Harry's anxiety worsened, the boys took it upon themselves to find ways to calm him down. For example, in public situations, all Harry had to do was tug on Ethan's shirt when he was feeling overwhelmed, and the two boys would go sit in a bathroom, and Ethan would go through Harry's breathing practices until the boy's chest moved at an even pace.

Tobi would give Harry his AirPods and play the "Harry Anxiety Playlist" the boys developed.

JJ would hold Harry, put an arm around his shoulders or hold his hand. Harry was always anxious with hugs and contact, but JJ had an aura about him. He always felt safe and protected around him.

The first time they had ever witnessed Harry having a panic attack, they freaked out. One moment Harry was sitting by them, and the next he was on the floor, gripping his chest and gasping for air as tears rolled down his face. Because none of them knew what to do, Harry ended up passing out, too overwhelmed from losing too much air.

That's when they found out about his anxiety disorder. And that was the day the boys vowed to look after and protect their youngest from something like this happening ever again on their watch.

While the other boys laugh and screamed, pushing each other further into the tunnels, Josh looked over to Harry. The usually fun-loving boy was quiet, more so than usual. He tried to look for Harry's signs that something was wrong, that he was overwhelmed. Josh noticed the boy's chest stuttering, his nails dug into his arm. 'Fuck,' he thought. 'Harry's about to have a panic attack."

JOSH POV

I walked over to Harry, trying not to be noticed by the other boys. I softly place my hand over his left, trying to gently pull it away.

"Boggo," I say quietly, trying to pull his attention from his own thoughts. "Boggy, it's Josh. What's wrong?"

I watched sadly as the boy struggled to breathe, only letting out heavy breaths every once in a while.

"C-can't...can't breathe, Josh." My heart ached for the young boy as he stuttered, his breath hitching once more.

I have to think fast. How can I calm him down?

I look towards the group, they've all made it up quite far. I decide to hang back with Harry. I'll let the others know after I help him.

"Come here, Haz. Come sit." I lead him to the wall and sit him down. I get down and put my arm around him. He flinches and tenses, and my heart breaks before he cuddles into my shoulder. I start to mess around with his hair, and I hum lightly. His ear is pressed against my chest, and I see his hands start to shake less as he's calmed by the sound of my heartbeat.

"You're gonna be okay, Hazza. I know it doesn't seem like it, but this will pass, we will get out of here, and you will be fine. I promise." I repeat that to him a few times, while reminding him to breathe. His fingers stop shaking, and start to drum a rhythm on my knee. It's seeming to keep him focused on something other than the panic, so I let him. I look down at him, and suddenly I see the 17 year old boy that we welcomed into our world and swore to protect from day one. He looked so small, so young. He didn't deserve this pain.

"Josh?" I'm brought out of my thoughts by Harry looking up at me, his innocent, deep blue eyes staring back at me.

"Hey, sorry Boggo. How are you feeling, mate?"

He sighs, laying his head down on my thigh. "My head hurts. My lungs hurt. But I'm okay." I nod, running my hands through his hair.

"Can you tell me what happened?" He flinches, and I immediately regret my question until he speaks up.

"You'll think I'm weak. And stupid. It's so childish."

My heart breaks. How could Harry ever think we think he's stupid? "Harry, mate, your fears aren't stupid. We love you, I love you, and I wanna know why you just almost passed out on my lap."

Harry sighs, and moves up to face me. "I have nyctophobia. It's the fear of the dark. The tunnels freak me out, Josh, and I couldn't stop feeling like someone was gonna come up and get me. I was so scared." He mumbles the last part, latching his arms around my waist. I ruffle his hair.

"That's not a stupid fear, man. These tunnels are mad quiet and creepy. But, there's nothing here. We would never take you or any of us anywhere we think could cause us serious harm. And I'm right here, nothing's gonna get you on my watch, okay?" He smiles shyly at me, and nods.

"Okay, thanks mate. I'm sorry for-" I cut him off before he can say anything.

"Don't apologize, mate. You haven't done anything wrong. You're alright." He nods hesitantly, before pushing himself up off the ground. I get up with him, and we start walking down the tunnel. I text the boys to let them know me and Harry didn't get captured by some ghost, and we make our way back to the boys. Harry is calm and safe, and everything's alright.

XIX

➵ And that's the end! I feel like it was a bit rushed, so I'm sorry if it was. I hope you enjoyed!