Theme #21: Crazy
Couple(s): Mikage x Jack
POV: Jack
Language: Mild
Maturity: Mild
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's

Her breathing was heavy and quick, almost to the point where it could be considered that she was hyperventilating. I thought this was perhaps because the sun's intensity was beaming through the windows of my flat, making her, and the room in general, very hot.

"Do you need some water?" I asked, almost idiotically as I cocked my eyebrow at her. She shook her head, but said nothing. So I shrugged it off and returned to my tea. But after a few minutes of listening to her uneven breathing, I started to feel that this had nothing to do with the heat. She almost seemed frantic and nervous, like a little mouse hiding from its approaching prey, terrified.

"Mikage...Are you alright?" I asked, examining her carefully. Whatever I said must've struck her nerve, because she immediately sat down and began to cry. I stared at her for a moment, dumbfounded. Clearly though, there was something very wrong.

"Hey...Don't cry..." I said awkwardly, unsure of what other words to say. She made no response. So I stood and approached her, leaning down in front of her so our faces were even. For a brief moment, I felt like a father talking to a hurt child.

"I don't like seeing you cry," I began bluntly and gruffly ", so please, tell me what's wrong."

Mikage paused and quickly wiped away her tears before giving me a fake smile.

"I-I'm sorry...I just lost it there for a moment..." she said before standing and trying to leave. But I grabbed her wrist and forced her to sit down again.

"No; you're going to tell me what's wrong." I ordered. She looked horrified.

"W-Well, I'm...stressed..." she stammered, her voice trailing off.

"About what?" I asked, pushing her for the details. She sighed.

"I'm not sure you would understand." she said quietly.

"I don't care. Tell me anyway."

She stared at me with a look of bewilderment, her terror apparent. Silence hung for a brief moment before she looked down shamefully at her feet.

"I...have an anxiety disorder," she confessed. ", So I occasionally get wound up and set off over, almost literally, nothing; a panic attack."

I stared at her blankly for a moment before chuckling and lifting up her chin to look me in the eyes.

"You don't have to be ashamed of the fact that you have a mental disorder." I said gently, amused that her cheeks were now a faint pink. She licked her lips nervously, but said nothing.

"Now, I don't have an anxiety disorder," I continued, feeling my lips curl into a smile ", but I think I can understand where you're coming from."

"What do you mean?" she asked, looking confused. I paused.

"I'm clinically depressed." I admitted after a moment. She blinked in surprise.

"Atlas-sama, I-" she began somberly before I cut her off.

"-There's no need for you to feel bad about it. I do understand you. I can see it in the way you act. You're ashamed. You think you're crazy, and that you'll be labeled by society, or myself, as such. But I get it. I'm the same way. We're just hormonally screwed up. That's all there is to it," I began before stopping to consider what to say next ", Will you be okay now?"

She nodded and I saw a small, precious smile come to her face. I then stood and helped her do the same. I turned to leave, but she stopped me. I quickly glanced backward to see her blushing again.

"What is it?" I asked plainly. I heard her take in a deep breath, and before I knew it, I could feel her soft, wet lips on my cheek. Now it was my own turn to blush as I watched her pull away.

"Thank you." was all she said.

Comments: My attempt to portray a panic attack and the after effects in writing. Most of you won't understand unless you've had one, or have seen someone have one.

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