Overwhelmed
Matt Sturniolo x sister!reader
Summary: Y/N gets a panic attack when she's overwhelmed.
Warnings: panic attack
(gif not mine)
Y/N is at the triplets' house, the three having a bunch of their friends over to hang out. Nate is visiting so Y/N mostly sticks to him if one of her brothers are too busy hanging out with one of the friends she doesn't really know. Nate, being like her fifth brother, doesn't argue while she follows him around like a lost puppy when she can't be close to a triplet or Madi, her being the only other friend Y/N's familiar with.
Being socially anxious and introverted, Y/N hates meeting new people, especially so many at once.
The girl is currently curled up on the couch, pretending to look busy on her phone while all the conversations overlapping in her ears. She winces as she starts to feel hotter than she should, her face burning.
Y/N glances around the crowded room, biting her nail as she notices the uncomfortable feeling in her chest rise. She tries to take a deep breath, but that fails when she feels her heart start to pick up in speed.
Y/N lowers her head, rubbing her sweaty hands on her jeans, attempting to dry them. Her eyes sting with tears and she feels her hands start to shake.
Y/N gets up, trying not to attract too much attention, making sure everybody's too involved in their conversations. She makes a quick, quiet escape to Matt's room, shutting the door as quietly as she can.
Y/N struggles to breathe, sitting on the floor, leaning back against the wall. She squeezes her hands, trying to work on the breathing exercises Matt taught her the first time she ever had a panic attack.
Y/N buries her head in her hands, fingers tangling in her curls. She lets out a small sob as she fails to help herself.
The girl jumps at the gentle knock on the door.
"It-- i-- it's occu--" She internally curses herself for her cracking voice.
She panics as the door starts to open, but watches Matt slip in, his concerned gaze set on her.
"Hey." He quietly calls, shutting the door and quickly making his way over, kneeling in front of her. He easily notices the signs, starting to comfort her. "Hey, you're okay. You're safe. Focus on me." He rests his hands on her knees, rubbing her joints with his thumbs.
"Breathe in..." He instructs, Y/N attempting to follow his command. "And breathe out..." He slowly breathes out, Y/N doing her best to copy him.
Matt continues to coach her through the breathing exercise, rubbing her knees to help ground her.
Y/N sniffles as she finally feels like she can breathe again, wiping her nose and cheeks.
"You okay?" Matt softly asks, his blue eyes boring into the girl, full of worry.
"Mm-hmm." She nods, sniffling. "Just... just got overwhelmed." She dismisses.
"Okay." Matt mumbles. "Why don't you stay in here and relax? Nick, Chris, and I will get everybody out, all watch a movie? Or you just wanna sleep?"
"I don't wanna ruin your night." Y/N pouts.
"Do you realize who you're talking to?" Matt laughs.
"But Chris and Nick--"
"Hey, they care about your comfort more. Trust me." Matt promises. "Or do you just want me to hang out in here with you? I don't mind."
"But they're your friends too." Y/N says.
"I've been around them for 90% of the day. I need a break, too, Y/N/N." Matt says. "So?"
Y/N sighs as she mulls over the options.
"Can we just stay in here?" She asks. "We can watch a movie."
"Yeah." Matt nods. He gets up, holding his hands out to her and she accepts his help in getting up. "We made some pizza rolls. Want me to go get some?" Y/N nods. "Got it. Pick a movie." Matt tells her, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead before leaving the room.
Y/N picks a movie and Matt walks in, a plate full of pizza rolls and two root beers in hand. He hands one can to her, receiving a small thanks. Matt climbs into the bed, putting the pizza rolls down, the food in reach for both of them.
"Thank you." Y/N tells him as Shrek starts.
"You don't have to thank me, kid." Matt ruffles her hair making her grimace. She lightly swats at his hand making him laugh.
