Hey guys I really wanted to write a fluff chapter for Tory and Miguel. When watching the show I had always wondered how Tory handles all that is thrown at her and in this chapter she finally shows some vulnerability. I have to let you guys know that there is a:
TRIGGER WARNING- PANIC ATTACK.
I personally have had some similar issues in the past, so I wrote the chapter as how I would want a boyfriend to approach me if they were trying to help me through this. Everyone has different experiences with these types of episodes, so I hope I dont offend anyone with my depiction.
Tory was having a totally shit day. Scratch that, a totally shit week. Her bicycle chain had broken on the way to work. The roller rink was vandalized after her closing shift and the owner was blaming her for it. Her boss claimed that they didn't have the money to pay her and fix the damage so her pay check would have to wait. Her mom was back in the hospital after she got a fever and her little brother was being a constant pain in the ass and was somehow wetting the bed again causing her to have to give up her bed in the middle of the night to him and getting absolutely no sleep. That was only the beginning of her week. After her pay was postponed her shitty landlord locked her and her brother out of their apartment till they could pay up. She couldn't go to the authorities or else social services would try and take her brother so she was forced to call her psycho aunt who somehow "Only had room" for her brother. Aisha was at some dumb science camp so she couldn't make up a reason to spend the night with her. There was no way she was going to complain to Miguel or her Sensei. She didn't need Miguel feeling sorry for her and she didn't need her Sensei to see her as weak. She had tried her absolute hardest not to cry over her current situation, but of course, OF FREAKING COURSE, with everything going on she didn't realize that she was due to start her period. Along with it came some strong emotions. She was usually able to channel those emotions into her karate but as she sat in the bathroom of the Dojo she realized she had absolutely no period products. There's no way that Sensei would ever have anything laying around that she could use. Her current clothes that she needed to change out of were ruined and there was no way she was going to change into a WHITE Gi with nothing to put on to stop her from bleeding all over it. She was mortified. She effectively was able to hide her period for the past few months from her boyfriend by making random excuses and being too busy to hook up during those days. She had a plan. She wadded up some toilet paper and put it between her legs and put on her Gi. She was still a few minutes early getting dressed. She was going to try and sneak past everyone and run to the convenience store next door and grab some tampons. As she came out of the back of the Dojo Sensei Lawrence was already ready for her.
"Miss Nichols! Why don't you lead the class in warm ups today seeing that Mr. Diaz is late."
Tory was speechless and stood unmoving as she felt that she was about to bleed through to her Gi soon. The rest of the class was turned and looking at her. It must be later than she had thought. Johnny turned and walked to the front of the mat.
"We're waiting Miss Nichols!"
She had no idea what to do but there was no way that she could walk to the front of the classroom. Suddenly her usual fight or flight response turned in to flight and she decided to run. Where she was running to she had no idea. She threw open the door and was headed down the sidewalk when she slammed into Miguel. She was running so fast that she fell back and onto the ground.
"Woah! Shit babe! Sorry. You ok?"
Tory was breathing hard and she was already close to crying as she started to run. Even though she was now on the ground she continued to breathe harder and harder and her eyes widened. She started breathing even harder despite being immobile on the ground. Her eyes started to water of their own volition. She tried to speak.
"I-I... I'm sorry... I"
Miguel got on her level and put his hand on her face to try and calm her, but it wasn't doing much.
"Babe. Babe. You're ok. What's going on?"
He started to realize that she seemed to be having a panic attack. He knew that she wouldn't want anyone to see her in this state. Thankfully his mom had gotten home from work early and let Miguel borrow the car, so that he could try and make it to class on time. Miguel ran to the passenger door and it seemed as if Tory didnt even notice he had stepped away. She continued to stare ahead and was still breathing erratically. And she now had her knees hugged to her chest. Miguel went to scoop her up and put her in the car and he noticed the on her Gi. He placed her in the car and ran around to the drivers side and reached behind him grabbed a beach towel off the back seat and he put it in her lap to use if she wanted it. Tory was still hyperventilating and hugging her legs. Miguel realized he just needed to get her away from the dojo or else she would be mortified if anyone ever saw her like this. Miguel hardly ever saw her let her guard down and this was a huge vulnerable episode that he wasn't prepared for and didn't know how to handle he just needed to do something. He drove for less than a mile before turning onto a mostly empty street and pulling over. He needed to get her to calm down before she passed out. He leaned over and took her face in his hands and tried to talk to her.
"Babe I need you to calm down ok. Just hold your breath for one second alright. Just breathe slower or something."
Tory nodded and tried her best. Miguel remembered something about pressure and panic attacks so he moved to wrap his arms around her and he held her tight. It helped to slow her breathing a bit, but with her slowed breathing she should now start crying. Tears flowed from her and she hid her face in her hands. She was mortified that she was acting this way in front of Miguel. She was supposed to be stronger than this, but she didnt feel strong. She felt completely empty. She had been holding the weight of her mother's illness and being a provider for her brother and taking over so much more responsibility than she could even handle and this week broke her. After several minutes Tory's breathing had returned to normal and her tears had stopped and she just sat silently with her eyes against her knees. Miguel wasnt sure what to do next so he just turned on the car and drove to his apartment. She didnt seem like she wanted to talk to him but he couldn't just let her sit there in the car bleeding and obviously miserable. He parked the car and turned to her.
"I'll be right back babe ok just dont move. I'll be right back and everything will be ok."
Tory nodded without looking at him. Miguel ran in a tried to explain to his mom that Tory wasnt feeling well and that he needed to help her but he wasn't sure how. He told her everything that had happened. Even though Tory had been dating Miguel for several months it was clear that she was a very private person and her and Carmen had not had many opportunities to talk with her. She didnt want to embarrass her and be around while it seemed she was at her lowest. After the run in with Miguel and Tory catching Carmen and Johnny, Miguel and his mom had a long talk with each other and Miguel was honest about his and Torys physical relationship without going into detail. Carmen had to admit that Miguel was mature for his age and she knew that he and Toey cared for each other. She talked with him about being safe while Miguel sat there embarrassed but he agreed to be more honest about where he was and she agreed to not judge him for his honesty.
Carmen grabbed some new underwear still in the package that she had and some feminine hygiene products along with some tylenol and put them in the bathroom for Tory and Miguel ran back out to the car to get her. She hadn't moved from her position. Miguel whispered to her after opening her door.
"Hey babe let's go inside ok?"
Tory couldn't really think straight so she just nodded and started to get out of the car. Miguel remembered about her Gi and he wrapped the beach towel around her and looked around the lot. No one was around to see her anyways. His mom made herself scarce in her room so she wouldnt embarrass Tory. Tory was just going through the motions and whatever Miguel told her to do she would do, cause she was too exhausted to fight anything anymore. She felt broken. Miguel led her into the bathroom and had her sit down on the closed toilet while he turned on the water to get it hot. He helped take off her top and even carefully took her pony tail out of her hair. She looked exhausted and also looked like she hadn't showered in a while. She had been too busy working to take care of herself this past week. Miguel realized that he had barely seen her other than in karate class. She said she was busy working and taking care of her mom, but she put on such a brave face that he hadn't realized just how bad it was. He pulled her to stand by her shoulders and cautiously reached for her pants but she came to her senses for a moment and stopped his hands. She took her pants of herself and then stepped into the shower. She stood directly under the hot stream unmoving. Miguel just watched her for a moment before asking.
"Can I get you anything?"
She just shook her head.
"Ok I'll be right back."
Miguel stepped out of the bathroom and went to his moms room. He asked her if she would mind going to get a quesadilla for Tory and some tacos from her favorite Mexican restaurant that was down the street. Miguel would have went himself but he didn't want to leave Tory alone for that long. Carmen was happy to oblige.
Miguel grabbed some of his clothes for Tory to wear and headed back to the bathroom. She was sitting down in the tub hugging her knees and letting the shower water continue to run over her. She was exhausted from hyperventilating and she couldn't even stand. Miguel grabbed the removable shower head and knelt next to the tub and kept the water pointed on Tory but not over her face like it was before. She whispered.
"I'm sorry"
Miguel barely heard it over the sound of the running water.
"Dont be sorry. Its fine. I just want you to feel better."
A few more tears fell from Tory's eyes and she continued to stare forward. Miguel grabbed the shampoo and conditioner and did her hair for her and rinsed the soap off of her body. He turned off the water and grabbed a towel for her. She stood up shakily and grabbed the towel and dried herself off, still moving on auto pilot. She saw the tampons and new underwear sitting on the counter and she looked up at Miguel. Miguel understood and he turned around while she took care of her issue. Miguel handed her the clothes, a Tshirt and some boxers, and she dressed quietly then grabbed the tylenol and swallowed it dry. Hopefully it would help her cramps and headache quickly. Miguel grabbed her hand and led her to his room. There was food sitting on his desk, some sodas and a candy bar that his mom somehow knew was Torys favorite from when she mentioned it in passing. Tory sat down on the edge of Miguel's bed and looked at the food. Her stomach growled, but she still felt sick to her stomach. Her eyes hurt from crying and she just wanted to lay down. She drew her legs up onto the bed and laid down on her side. Miguel was standing close to her.
"Do you want to sleep? I can let you sleep if you want."
Miguel took a step away and Tory reached for him. Miguel took that to mean he should stay. He kicked off his shoes and took his pants off, so that he could get into bed with her. He climbed over her and wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in close to his body and held her tight. He felt her start to cry a bit more so he held her even tighter. He reached to grab the blanket and threw it over them.
"Thank you" she whispered and then drifted off to sleep.
She woke about an hour later with a start. She had forgotten where she was and it was dark. She turned her head and saw Miguel's phone lighting up his face. He had stayed away and held her and then looked at his phone after he got a little bored and realized she was asleep. He put it down immediately as he felt her twist in his arms.
"How you feeling?" He asked her.
"Better" she whispered. Her stomach was growling again.
"Hungry?"
She nodded. Miguel hopped over her and turned on the light. Tory squinted as her eyes adjusted. Miguel grabbed the bag of food and brought it over to her. She sat up and crossed her legs and took the food from Miguel.
"Thanks"
She opened the bag and cracked a small smile to discover her favorites. Carmen had also gotten food for Miguel. She handed him his items and kept hers and then began to eat. They sat in silence on the bed and he handed Tory her drink. She looked at Miguel's clock it was only 8 o'clock, but it felt later. They had both finished their food and miguel sat at his desk chair looking at her after throwing their trash away. Tory gave him a half hearted smile.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Tory looked at her hands in her lap and picked at her nails.
"I'm really sorry." She said quietly "I made you miss class and probably ruined your night and just acted all psycho."
Miguel got up to sit next to her.
"I told you babe dont be sorry. I just want to know what's going on. Like obviously you are going through some shit, but I guess I just didnt realize how bad it was."
"Its nothing." Tory lied.
"Why dont you want to tell me?"
"I dont know." Tory lied again. Her own insecurities kept her from showing Miguel just how messed up she was and she thought he would not want anything to do with her once he found out. He had already seen her break down which, had only happened to her a few times in the past years and she was able to hide it from everyone then, even her mom. No one wanted to deal with a broken weak person, or so she thought.
Miguel could see the wheels turning in her head as she gnawed on her bottom lip and she looked nervous. He wanted to put her mind at ease.
"Come here" he scooted back and rested his back against his headboard and held his arms open so that she could turn and he could hold her. Tory moved into his arms and rested her head on his chest. He sat there for a few minutes stroking her back and her hair.
"You know I dont think you are weak or anything for getting... upset" he didnt know how to label her episode and didnt want to offend her.
"You're one of the strongest people I know and theres nothing wrong with letting out your emotions sometimes."
Miguel was more emotionally aware than most boys his age. Being raised by his mom and grandmother and being close with both of them through difficult times taught him a lot.
Tory didnt even know where to begin. Everything was going to shit around her and she couldn't even control it.
"Everything is just going wrong...Everything"
She was picking at some lint that was on Miguel's duvet and talking softly. He had never seen her like this. So soft spoken. He hadn't seen her ever act the way she had acted today EVER. She would sometimes tell him when things were going wrong in her life like with her mom or having a bad day, but she always brushed it off as if it were no big deal. Then she would change the subject and act like nothing was wrong.
"I want to be here for you babe, and maybe I could do something to help, but you have to tell me stuff and you cant downplay it. I promise whatever it is it won't make me see you any differently."
Tory nodded and took a deep breath before delving into the shit pile that happened to be her life that week. She listed off every crappy thing that had happened and Miguel acknowledged her with several "oh shit"s and "wow that really sucks babe". She left the fact that she had nowhere to stay that night and possibly for the foreseeable future for last. Miguel tensed up at that point. He was immediately fucking pissed at her aunt and her landlord, he then started to get slightly irritated with her. She fell silent after her final revelation.
"So you just weren't going to tell me that you had no where to live?"
"I was figuring it out" she said meekly.
She could hear the irritation in his voice and she couldn't handle her own emotions right now let alone anyone else. She already felt bad enough that Miguel and his family were doing so much for her today.
"So why couldn't you tell me any of this?"
"I- I just... I guess I dont want you to see me as this needy annoying girlfriend that always has a crisis and that you have to keep saving. Like how unattractive is that? I'm a fucking mess and no one wants to deal with that."
"You're not a mess and even if you were I wouldnt care." He rolled his eyes at her ridiculousness. She really didnt realize by now how he felt about her?
He reached down to her face and tilted her chin up so she would look at him. He didnt put much thought into what he was going to say next it just felt natural to him and he had been thinking it for a while.
"You know I love you, right?"
Tory was speechless. She wasnt sure how to answer. At least he had asked it in the form of a question so that she didnt feel pressured into saying it back immediately. She stumbled over her words, she was doing that a lot today.
"I-I.. No I didnt know that." she looked back down not knowing what to do or where to look.
Miguel shrugged and said with conviction,
"Well I do, so now you know."
He kissed the top of her head. Tory squeezed him and sat there silently for a while. Miguel wasnt expecting her to say anything back and he was ok with that. She had a very emotional day and he felt like telling her he loved her so he did. Tory thought through some of her favorite moments with Miguel, in the dojo, on their bike rides, when they could be lone together. She thought about all the little things that he did for her that sometimes went unnoticed. She realized that the only times she had been truly happy lately was when she was with him. She started to smile to herself at her happy memories. She moved her body so that she was sitting facing Miguel with her legs crossed. It surprised Miguel that she was moving so quickly after being pretty sluggish all night. He was taken aback by her smile, but he was glad to see it. She reached out and took his face in between her hands and looked into his eyes.
"I love you too."
Miguel was smiling by the end of her sentence. She leaned in to kiss him passionately for a few seconds. Then she pulled away and rested her forehead against his. She crawled back into his arms and he held her. She broke their happy silence after a minute.
"So... um do you think I could stay on the couch tonight? I can find another place to stay by tomorrow, but its pretty late."
"Oh my God babe shut up!"
Miguel chided her jokingly.
"You're staying here and in my bed for as long as you need, ok?"
"But your mom-?"
"Likes you and already said you can stay here tonight with me, so I doubt a few more nights will matter, Ok?"
"But-"
"Nope, no buts. Just say ok."
"Ok!" Tory answered in an irritated tone.
"Good." Miguel was satisfied with her answer.
"So how are feeling? Do you want to go to sleep or watch a movie or something?"
Tory yawned. She was still exhausted, Mentally, emotionally and physically.
"I'm pretty tired. How bout you put on that show that you like on your computer and I'll just fall asleep if I need to."
"Sounds good."
Miguel got up and placed his laptop at the desk that was at the foot of his bed and turned on 'The office'. He got under the covers with Tory and propped his head so he could see as she laid her head on his chest. She was breathing deeply and sleeping sound before the catchy show tune had time to finish playing.
Thank you for reading! In few more chapters I am going to start writing super kinky/smutty chapters for these two and maybe some other characters as well. Please leave a review or PM me some super kinky shit you would like to read about. Nothing is off limits. I've already gotten a few suggestions about sex in a bathroom and a threesome (not super sure about this one cause in reality 3-somes can ruin relationships, especially in people who arent mature enough to handle the dynamic and I like to write about things I feel could potentially happen in a real relationship). Those are also some pretty tame ideas though. Just let me know! Thank you for reading and reviewing and enjoy.