Work Text:
It started how it usually started: a weird noise. Today, it was an odd, continuos tapping noise on the ceiling. You glanced up, eyes narrowed. You knew damn well what the sound was.
You stood, padding across the carpeted floor to the phone on your desk, dialing in Eric’s number. The tapping was still going.
They were still up there, watching you. They could see you through the lights, through the vent above your closet, through the small crack between the ceiling and the light fixtures.
Eric picked up on the third ring.
“Hey, baby.” He said, and you heard the clacking of keyboard keys in the background. You breathed heavily, glancing up at the lights again before whispering into the phone.
“They're in the ceiling again. I can hear them.” Almost as soon as the words left your mouth, the tapping stopped. You stopped as well- stopped breathing, stopped moving. “It stopped. They heard me. They know I know.”
It was crystal clear. They were watching you, gathering information about you. Silent, but deadly. One day they would stop waiting. Eric finally spoke up from the other end.
“There’s no one there. They can’t get you. No one's there.” His words were measured, careful. You sneered.
“Eric, are you not listening?! I heard them! I heard them moving! They're here!” Another, this time quieter, tap. You looked back up at the ceiling, staring at the light, which was currently off. You knew they were looking down at you from it. You knew they knew. “They're coming for me. They aren’t gonna wait this time.” Eric was still quiet on the other end. You heard him swallow.
“Y/N, listen to me.” He said, and he sounded almost nervous. “No one is there. They-”
“There is! You're not hearing me! I heard them, goddamnit, th-theyre looking at me through the fucking lights!” You snapped, eyes not moving from the lights. You reached over, fumbling around for a pair of scissors on the desk, readying them. They could try to take you, but you weren't going down without a fight, oh no. Eric sighed, a nervous tapping rhythm building on the other end of the phone.
“I'll be there in 5.” He said, and the call was suddenly cut. You stood from the chair. Alone now. Prey for them. Your lips curled back in a scowl, teeth barred, an animalistic growl rumbling it's way through your body and out your throat. You readied yourself. Where would they come from? The vent next to the closet? Did they have more men stationed outside your door, ready to burst in at any moment?
Your grip on the scissors tightened and adjusted. Not going down without a fight. Not, not, not, not-
A light knock at the door. A hushed voice.
“Y/N.” Eric. You had almost forgotten.
You backed up into the corner, onto the bed, pressed up against the wall. You raised the scissors. Was he working with them? How did you know for sure?
The door creaked open, and Eric stepped in, hands raised in quiet surrender.
"Y/N. Baby. Put down the scissors.” He reasoned, voice quiet and soft. Your eyes searched his face for any trace of deception. You found none. Against your better judgement, you softened, scissors lowering a bit. He wasn't working with them.
“You shouldn't be here. They might get you too.” You pressed up against the wall. More advantage there. You could see where they came from. Eric took a step towards the bed, then another, before he was right in front of it.
“They won't. They won't get me or you, baby, I'm sure.” Your arm wavered from its position, still pointed up at him. His tongue darted out to wet his lips as he set one knee on the bed, beginning to crawl onto it until the tip of the scissors met his shirt. He held his hand out. “Give me the scissors, sweetheart.”
You gulped, glancing up at the lights, the vent, all around the ceiling, until back to him. Your arm was shaking.
“Need it. Need- need in- in case-” You were breathing heavy. Your head was spinning. Eric gently grasped your wrist in one hand, moving it to the side.
“You don't. I'm here. I'll keep you safe. They won't get you now.” He held out his other hand. You handed over the scissors.
Eric gently set them on the bed side table, then crawled over your shaking form. He wrapped you up in his arms, pulling you close. Your eyes shut. You were tired. So, so goddamn tired. You always were after an episode. You basically passed out, Eric’s hands still carding through your hair. Instead of the constant blaring of DANGER that had been echoing through your head, your nerouns were finally transmitting a different message: Safe.