Fatima jerked awake, crying. She felt like her chest was closing up and she couldn't breathe. She reached over, trying to wake up her boyfriend
"Devin," she whimpered. She reached to turn on the lamp next to her bed, but instead she knocked over her phone and bowl of scrunchies. Rountree jumped awake.
"Help," she choked out.
"Hey, hey, hey. Come here, look at me. No, Fatima, look at me, it's okay. You're safe, we're home in LA. Nobody is gonna hurt you," he murmured. He pulled her close and started rubbing her back.
"It was really bad," she choked out.
"I know, baby. I know, I promise you're okay," he murmured.
"I think I had an accident," she admitted ashamedly.
"Aww, sweetheart, it's okay. You were scared, it happens," he said delicately. Fatima hung her head in shame and started crying. "Oh, baby, please don't cry, it's okay," he said gently.
"I feel like a big baby," she sobbed. Rountree put his hand on her shoulder.
"Honey, no, you're not a baby. It's okay, please don't cry," he said gently. He felt horrible for her. He couldn't imagine how ashamed she truly was. "Hey. Fatima, sweetheart, how about you go change clothes, and I'll change the sheets, okay?" he said delicately. Fatima sniffled and crawled out of the bed.
Once they were snuggled in clean clothes and clean sheets, Fatima looked up at Rountree.
"Devin?" she asked quietly.
"What, baby?" he asked, pulling her closer.
"Um, are you mad at me?" she asked softly.
"No, baby. Worried, yes, but I don't think I've ever been mad at you in my entire life," he whispered, running his fingers through her dark curls. Fatima sniffled.
"Something weird happened when I woke up," she whispered.
"You had a panic attack. It's not normal, so I won't say that, but it's not something that will really hurt you. I know it's scary, but it's harmless. Okay? I just didn't want to bring it up before you were ready, " he said gently.
"I couldn't breathe! What if I die from it?" she was panicking.
"You aren't going to die from it, sweetheart, I promise. It feels scary, but the part of your brain that tells you to breathe will overpower the part of your brain causing the panic attack. You were never in danger," he said gently. Fatima looked unsure but nodded. She rested her head on his shoulder so the top of her head touched his chin. Rountree had his arm around her, his hand gently resting on her hip. "Try to sleep, okay? I love you," he murmured.
"Love you too," she whispered, snuggling into him.