Panic (No specified AU)
It was fine everything was going fine until it wasn't anymore she was with the seven as well as Thalia, Nico and Will. They had all come over for a surprise and they were all gathered in the shared living space of the praetor villa. The day had been stressful nothing much she couldn't handle some trauma holder little trying to push their way into the front but Brooks had gotten them away quick enough though it was still enough to activate their fight or flight mode and of course Arden was favoring the fight option more. Then it happened she was leaning into Thalia haven been missing her since they haven't seen each other in a while, Arden was saying something about how we should get to sleep sooner than later since there would be less chance of them having a nightmare if so. She hadn't noticed the others joking around, she hadn't noticed Percy's hand moving towards her until it reached her and the panic set in.
Instinctively she jumped back, Arden was making too much noise she was getting a headache and that didn't help all the memories coming forward flooding their mind until she could only think of back then their hands all over her. She was semi conscious of what was happening around her she could feel herself starting to shake, she could tell the others were looking at her concerned, she felt the silent scream rip itself out of her throat or at least she hoped it was silent, the only thing she could really focus on was Arden and Brooks trying to make sense of what was happening.
Reyna give me the front now he basically growled at her
Brooks who Reyna had later realized was also a trauma holder just looked frozen muttering to himself over and over not again please no
Reyna hated this absolutely despised it, it made her wish she never realized she was a system at least she'd be less conscious of what was happening, she wouldn't be trying to resist Arden fearing what they would do calm down we're fine I'm fine focus on your boyfriend he doesn't seem so good
For Fuck's sake just let me front that's the only way to help
I said i'm-
She never got to finish the sentence as Arden pushed her harshly away from front she could tell what was happening she realized in the time they were arguing she had basically shut off shivering and crying Thalia was infront of her trying to calm her down and shield her without crowding her too much. She didn't get what she was saying before hand but in that moment of Arden took the front there was a brief moment of a confused daze where the sound reduced. Thalia made the mistake of touching her shoulder to see if she was ok and Arden went off in a few second he managed to get a hold of his dagger though Thalia had managed to notice his movements on time springing back slightly. She felt their posture changed from resembling a scared animal to more of a cornered predator the fierceness in their eyes not being able to be concealed even if Arden had wanted it to be
"Stay back all of you" he growled out "Including you" he snapped when he noticed Thalia standing up. She could see the recognition flash across Thalia's face but she knew she wouldn't say anything Thalia wouldn't out them not if they didn't give the go ahead. Arden took a quick scan of the room then his eyes settle on Percy glaring at him "I'm sorry i didn't mean to cause whatever this was i swear" Percy blurted out.
He really didn't .
Well I'm pretty sure we made our position on unwarranted touch quite clear.
Yeah I know but it's Percy, he's touchy with his friends and stuff and he probably forg-
Stop making damn excuses for the boy
We're fine we're ok
And you should give the front back to me and stop swearing so much it makes it loose it's touch plus your boyfriend needs help and you can't do both plus helping your boyfriend is more important now if he stays panicky you'll get panicky too when you're fronting since he's this near front
Fine, just gods fine ok just give me a few
He had straightened up their posture and sheathed their dagger he took a deep breath and looked around the room he could already feel Reyna take back the front she was worse at blocking out others emotions than his he could already feel the tears coming back, he felt this was a bad idea but Reyna was right in a sense his boyfriend needed to calm down if anything was going to work and while he'd never say it to her face he trusted Thalia, he took another deep breath closing his eyes this time and when he opened them again Reyna was back in front and he walked over to his boyfriend comforting him.
Hey it's ok we're not back there we're with our friends remember i need you to breath for me love
Reyna now being in control of the body wiped away the tears that we're already starting to fall from her eyes she was being disgraceful right now a Praetor of Rome having a breakdown in front of her colleagues, friends she corrected herself she could feel their looks of concern and she put her back against a wall doing her best to calm down from her partial embarrassment at a panic attack she could hear Arden and Brook in the innerworld Brook already starting to calm down she listened to Arden giving Brooks instructions on breathing and followed along she could tell Thalia was walking towards her, she reminded herself that if a friend was in this situation she wouldn't want them to feel ashamed of herself she took one more deep breath as she made eye contact with Thalia, she opened her mouth to talk but it felt so hard to talk but she eventually managed to throw the words out "I- I think I need to go to my room for a bit i'll be back later.... Thalia?" she called her girlfriend's name as she walked towards her room door which was more backwards in the room as Thalia followed her.
The moment she got into the room she threw her arms around Thalia's waist looking for comfort which she knew the girl wouldn't deny her she doesn't know how long they stayed like that her face buried in Thalia's shoulder, Thalia's hand running through her hair as she whispered comforting words into the crying girls ear until Reyna finally felt strong enough to speak "I'm sorry love" she muttered into her neck "For what?" she paused for a few she knew she was sorry but it still took her a few seconds to gather reasons and even then they still felt dumb "Well for Arden for ruining the sleepover, for everything i guess" If she's actually angry about that then i just think you should break up wait why is she smiling Arden was right a small grin had spread across the girl's face before she pressed a kiss to Reyna's forehead if this was anyone else or earlier in their relationship Reyna might have freaked but by now she was quite used to and welcoming of her girlfriends affections towards her she could hear Arden groan and she could feel Brook's Presence though he still stayed quiet. She pouted slightly at the girl's smile humming questioningly "Rey you know you don't have to apologise for things like that right and you most definitely didn't ruin the sleepover okay baby" she nodded once she was really feeling like talking for a bit at least not with her girlfriend if she didn't have to and didn't feel like signing either since she was cuddling Thalia which seemed to pick up on that fact and led them to a small couch in Reyna's personal living space and just cuddling for a bit more till Thalia broke the silence.
"Are you going to tell them the rest I mean" she asked looking at her face with gentle concern talking about their system "no i don't think so at least not yet neither the reason for the panic attack" she more or less whispered though it was weirdly audible in the silent room "That's fine tell me if you're ready yo go back" she cuddled up closer to Thalia before sighing she could feel Brooks and Arden leaving the front most likely to fully calm Brooks down she wondered if one of the others would come Arden prefers her not being alone in front just in case "I'm ready" she stated surprising herself with how strong it came out as she started standing up and pulling her girlfriend up with her they walked back into the general living space and They sat down at their old positions she could feel their eyes on her wanting to ask questions but knowing better before Percy piped up
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to cause whatever that was I just-" she interrupted him knowing the boy could ramble about how many ways he was sorry "It's fine Perc really can we all just move on and pretend it didn't happen at least for now" and they did and that was the end of the topic for that night they watched some movie as they intended talking and joking into the night at some point Arden came back to front without Brook he just sat down next to her saying nothing watching for now ready to spring into action, as she cuddled up to her girlfriend she thought about their earlier short conversation
Do you think we should tell them
No I think we've told enough people for now maybe one day in the future
Ok fair
She could already feel herself drifting asleep relaxed and comfortable in her girlfriend's arm, one day maybe she remembered thinking something similar when she started dating Thalia like it was a secret that shouldn't be shared but oh well here they are now one day she would tell when it wouldn't feel like a heat in the moment thing one day.