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Rae was stood next to Centross. The two were sitting in a somewhat busy cafe, having some lunch. Rae talking about a new project he was researching to Centross while the other listened. If he seemed a bit off well- That was for him to know and Rae to eventually find out.
Later, the 2 were walking home. They happened to find a field of flowers on their way. Stopping to get some flowers for the house.
They passed by The Flour Garden, dropping some stuff off there. Rae giggling as he put a flower crown on Cookie. Centross putting some flowers on the tables, looking over at what Rae was giggling at, they also started to giggle.
On the way to the archives, they dropped off the remaining flowers in the banner fam house.
Centross was sitting with Rae in The Archives. They were sitting in the basement in the couch/study area together. Rae was writing about something. While he was doing that, Centross was looking at some things on his phone.
Centross scrolled apon something on his phone which at triggered something in his mind. Suddenly, he wasn't in the archives. He was in a distorted place. He couldn't point where it was.
⚠︎⚠︎
A distorted, booming voice and large shadow towered over him. It sounded like the souls he has killed
"You'll never be good enough."
"You never will forgive yourself"
"Violent"
"Why did you have to kill us"
"Violet Reaper is what you are. Violet Reaper is all you will ever be."
"You can never be trusted"
Another voice, like Sherbert's sounded, spoke.
"I should have taken the sword. I should have killed you while I had the chance."
⚠︎⚠︎
His breathing was hitched. Gasps escaping his mouth.
Centross had put his phone down, putting a hand on his chest while his other went to pull at his shirt collar. The feeling of restriction. He felt like he was being choked. He started to cry. Tears running down his face.
A voice cut through the haze of his mind, laced with concern.
"-ntross? --- -ou alr---t?"
Centross shook his head. Not being able to respond or hear much through his panic.
"Shit-" Rae said, startled for a moment. Rushing over to help his friend. He sat in front of the other on the ground, not touching them incase that made it worse.
Rae knew Centross had some trauma and such but he's never seen them actually break down like this.
He started to go through the ways he knew how to help.
"Can I touch you?" Rae asked softly, to which Centross nodded. "okay, I'm going to move to sit next to you so I can help." Another nod. Rae moved a little bit closer. He put his hand on Centross', one on the hand on their chest, the other holding the hand that was pulling at the shirt collar.
"Hey, can you focus on my voice?" Rae asked softly. The latter looked over to him. The sight almost broke Rae's heart. Seeing one of his friends like this with an expression of genuine fear on their face. He pushed that aside. He needed to help them.
"Okay. I need you to follow my breaths. I'll count with you" Rae said, a nod from Centross.
"In for 4, 1.. 2..-" Rae started softly. Centross trying to attempt yet the breath got caught in his throat. Making them panic even more.
"Hey.. It's okay.. You're doing great, Let's try again. In, 1.. 2.. 3.. 4.." Rae started again. Centross able to do it this time.
"Hold for 3. 1.. 2.. 3.. And out for 6. 1.. 2.. 3.. 4.. 5.. 6.." Centross followed Rae. They continued that for a little while until Centross' breathing was mostly steady and they had stopped crying. Rae had taken his hands off on Centross's after a little bit.
"T-thank you R-rae." Centross said after a moment. Now wiping at his eyes to wipe away the tear tracks.
"No problem. I'm here to help. Do you want to talk about what triggered it?" Rae said, asking the question gently "You don't have to if you don't want to." He added. Making it known that he wasn't going to force the latter to explain anything.
"Not right now. Later though. I can explain it to you." Centross stated. Exhaustion lacing their voice.
"Do you want to go home and rest? I can carry you if you'd like." Rae said.
"I don't think carrying me would be necessary but yes, I would like to go home" Centross responded. Standing up at the same time as Rae.
Both of them walked home. Centross going into his room in the banner fam house. Rae coming with them per their request.
Centross flopped face first on their bed. Hope running over to him, curling up by his side.
Rae sat down at the desk in the room. "I'll be right here if you need me. Good night." He said that the brunette however there was no response as the other was sound asleep. He knew this certainly wouldn't be the last time this would happen.