you were absentmindedly scrolling on your phone, not really taking in anything, when you heard her door open down the hall then soft, hesitant and familiar footsteps

billie didnt say anything as she entered the room and just walked over quietly and let her weight fall gently onto you, laying on top of your body like she had every right to be there

you barely had time to react before her face was buried in the crook of your neck, arms sliding around your ribs like she was holding herself together with the contact alone

you could feel her breathing, fast and shallow but you didnt ask. you just slid your phone to the side and wrapped your arms around her back, moving one hand up slowly into her hair in a gentle, reassuring, and present way

she hadnt had a full blown panic attack in days but she had been teetering on the edge of one for most of the week. her texts had been more frequent and her silences deeper. she started clinging in this way, not desperately or loud, just needing. needing to be near you and to feel grounded and real

you pressed your lips to her temple without thinking, whispering low into her hair "youre okay billie. ive got you"

she didnt speak for a long minute then her voice came out muffled, soft, and raw "i feel like i cant catch my breath unless im here"

"i know" you whispered, running your fingers through her hair, being careful and slow "you dont have to explain"

she didnt move, just gripped you a little tighter like she thought if she held on hard enough the world might stop spinning and maybe, for her, in that moment, it did