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“There you go, deep breaths, baby…” Finn’s eyes were closed, half aware of Damian’s hand rubbing his lower back, speaking in low tones. “Deep breath, ready? In…” He heard Damian’s long inhale and tried to do the same, breathing through his nose just like he’d been taught.
“And out,” Damian continued, exhaling.
Finn forced a shaky exhale through his mouth, eyes slowly opening.
“There we are…” Damian looked him over, smiling softly. “Keep going baby, just like we practiced.”
The Irishman nodded jerkily, inhaling again. He was sitting on the living room couch, hands clenched around the cushions next to him. He’d just had his first panic attack in over a month.
He wasn’t even sure what had caused it; he’d just been watching TV with Damian. Football was on, it was a rainy Saturday. Rhea and Dominik had gone out to get food for dinner. He would’ve done it himself, but Damian insisted that he always did the shopping and, since Rhea and Dom had offered, he should stay here and relax. Relax , he thought bitterly. What a joke. He wished he’d gone to the store himself. Then, at least, he could’ve made sure things were properly handled.
Ah .
So he was a control freak. Nothing new. His hands wrapped around his knees, drawing them close to himself in an attempt to curl up.
“No no sweetheart, don’t do that. Look here.” Damian had slipped his arm gently between Finn’s legs and chest, resting it there. He was preventing his legs from folding up, but his hand was still - Damian never applied pressure or tried to force Finn to move. He’d always appreciated that.
Finn sniffled and slowly relaxed his legs back down, looking up at Damian with wet eyes.
Damian smiled warmly at him. “Hey, baby. You know how much I love you?”
The Irishman turned red, shaking his head.
“So, so, so much,” Damian said, stroking his hair. “So much, actually, that I have…” He reached behind him, grabbing something from the drawer and offering it to Finn. “A snack!”
It was a pumpkin Reese’s peanut butter cup. Finn’s favorite.
“Isn’t… isn’t that the last one?”
“Yep, and it’s all for you,” Damian grinned, shaking it softly. “Go on, ya know ya want it.”
Finn dipped his head, hesitating for a moment before reaching out and taking it. Damian smiled as he watched Finn unwrap it.
“How is it?” he asked after he took a small bite.
Finn nodded, chewing and melting. It was impossible not to love a Reese’s cup.
“Good.” Damian shifted closer, opening his arms for him. When the Irishman turned, leaning back into his chest, the larger man wrapped his arms around him, holding him protectively. “I’ve got you, alright? Always.”
Finn ate the last bite of candy and nodded, burrowing closer into his arms.