It happened fast.

You and Yelena had been going over mission intel at the safehouse table. The heater clicked quietly in the corner, her boots were up on the chair, and she was pretending not to watch you too closely — the way she always did after a hard day.

You were mid-sentence when the room suddenly tilted.

Your vision blurred. The words disappeared from your tongue. Your fingers curled involuntarily against the table.

Yelena noticed instantly.

“Hey. Look at me,” she said sharply, sitting up straight. “Что случилось? What’s wrong?”

You tried to answer — but your body didn’t listen.

Your muscles jerked once, hard. The chair scraped under you.

Yelena was already there, moving faster than anyone else would’ve.

“Okay, okay— I’ve got you,” she murmured, guiding you gently to the floor. “It’s happening, I see it.”

Your body started trembling uncontrollably; your limbs tightened and shook. You couldn’t speak. Couldn’t control anything.

But you could hear her.

Yelena knelt beside you, keeping distance so she wouldn’t restrain you, but close enough that you felt her presence.

“Breathe. Just breathe the way you can,” she whispered, voice steady even though her hands shook. “I’m right here. You’re not alone.”

Your vision flickered. Your body stiffened again.

Yelena pushed your jacket under your head so you wouldn’t hit the floor.

“Good, good… you’re doing great,” she said softly, brushing your hair away from your face but not trying to stop your movements. “Just let it pass. I’m not going anywhere.”

Your chest fought for air, your muscles jerking with waves you couldn’t stop. A sound escaped you — more a gasp than a word.

Yelena swallowed hard.

“I know,” she whispered, her voice breaking just a little, “I know this is scary. But you’re safe. I promise. I’m here.”

Seconds felt like hours.

But eventually… the shaking slowed. Your muscles loosened. Your breath returned in uneven pulls.

Yelena stayed completely still, watching your eyes, waiting.

“There you are,” she breathed. “Hi. Stay with me.”

When you finally could move, your hand twitched. Yelena caught it — carefully — and held it between both of hers.

“Can you hear me?” she asked. You nodded weakly.

Her jaw clenched — relief and fear mixing on her face.

“God, you scared me,” she whispered. But she didn’t let go of your hand.

She helped you sit up, wrapping her arm around your shoulders so you didn’t fall again. Your head rested against her neck, still heavy.

“You’re okay,” she murmured into your hair. “You’re okay. And I’m not leaving you for a second.”

She stayed holding you long after your breathing steadied — long after the fear faded — as if letting go for even a moment wasn’t an option.