Sylvie Laufeydottir’s heart pounded in her chest as she knelt beside her best friend, her hand gently resting on her back. The room was silent, save for the faint sounds of breathing and the occasional shudder from her friend. Sylvie’s mind raced, and her instincts kicked in, wanting to do everything she could to help. She had seen her friend go through these moments before, but this time felt different.

The panic attack had come without warning, a sudden storm that had taken her by surprise. One moment, everything had been fine talking, laughing, like they always did and then the next, her friend had been gasping for air, her hands shaking as her chest heaved. Sylvie had felt her own breath catch at the sight, but she knew she had to be strong for her.

“Hey, hey,” Sylvie murmured softly, leaning closer, her voice low and soothing. “You’re safe, okay? You’re with me. You’re not alone.” Her fingers moved in slow circles on her friend’s back, trying to ground her, trying to offer some kind of stability. Her mind raced with how she could help, what she could say, but all she wanted to do was hold her, keep her close.

Sylvie could feel her friend’s breathing starting to slow just a little, the harshness of it becoming less frantic. Her heart ached seeing her like this. She wanted to reach out, to tell her how much she meant to her, how much she wished she could take away the weight of her anxiety, but she didn’t know if now was the right time.

“I’m here,” Sylvie repeated, her voice gentle but firm. “I won’t leave you, I promise.”

As she spoke, she could feel the weight of her own feelings bubbling up in her chest. The warmth of her hand against her friend’s back sent sparks of emotion coursing through her. She had always been there for her always the one who comforted, always the one who picked up the pieces when her friend was broken. But there was more. She couldn’t deny the feelings that had started to bloom inside her, something deeper than friendship. Something that terrified her.

She loved her. Sylvie had known it for a while now, but in this moment, it felt all the more real, all the more raw. As much as she cared for her, as much as she wanted to be the one to heal the hurt, Sylvie didn’t know if she could ever tell her. She couldn’t risk it, couldn’t risk losing the bond they shared.

Her friend’s breathing had steadied now, though she was still trembling in Sylvie’s arms. “It’s okay,” Sylvie whispered, her thumb brushing along her friend’s shoulder as she gently pulled her into a hug. “You’re going to be okay. I’ve got you.”

Her friend nodded weakly, her head resting on Sylvie’s shoulder. She could feel the warmth of her skin against hers, and it made everything inside her stir. But Sylvie pushed those feelings back, trying to focus on what mattered most her friend, her safety, her comfort.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” her friend mumbled, her voice muffled against Sylvie’s shirt. Sylvie’s heart skipped a beat at the words, and she had to bite her lip to keep from saying what she truly felt. She wanted to say it how much she loved her, how much she needed her but the moment didn’t feel right. It wasn’t the time for confessions, not when her friend was still vulnerable, still trying to find her breath.

“You don’t have to do anything alone,” Sylvie said quietly, her words laced with more meaning than she intended. She held her friend tighter, the warmth of their embrace offering a quiet solace.

For a few moments, there was only the sound of their breathing in the quiet room. Sylvie remained still, lost in the weight of her emotions, her mind swirling with the urge to comfort and the fear of what those feelings meant. Her love for her friend wasn’t something she could ignore, but it was something she had to bury for now, for her sake.

Finally, her friend pulled back slightly, her eyes red and teary but calmer than before. She offered a faint, exhausted smile.

Sylvie gave a small smile, her own heart aching.