Work Text:
Amerie left, leaving Quinni and Darren alone in the bathroom.
"Look at me" Darren started with a warm expression, just as they'd done countless times before. They took a deep breath, encouraging the stressed-out girl in front of them to do the same. Breathing always helped her to calm down. It brought her focus away from everything else and onto one thing that was within her control. It also helped to lower her heart rate. "Okay. We live in this bathroom now"
"Okay" Quinni replied with a nod and a breath, taking a moment to herself so she could self-regulate. Slowly but surely, she came back into her own body, thankful for Darren's patience. "Um... Thanks"
"No worries" Darren replied with a small smile. "I mean, obviously I don't fully get it, but I've had panic attacks before" they told her. "That's kinda similar, right?"
"Yeah" Quinni agreed with a nod. "The main difference is really just that panic attacks are generally characterized as random or your fight-or-flight going too far, whereas that was specifically brought on by... A lot" she chuckled humorlessly. "More in line with an anxiety attack, really"
"Okay" Darren responded, not sure of what else to say there. "Um..." they cleared their throat. "I'm gonna go get a drink, if that's okay" they told her, getting a nod in response. Truthfully, she needed a moment to herself to fully calm down, so it worked out pretty well. "I'll keep an eye on the door for you, yeah?"
"Thanks"
"No problem, love"